5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Justin Haley has won the rain-shortened Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, his first at NASCAR’s top level.<\/p>\n
Haley took the lead under caution – Kurt Busch surrendered the top spot when he pitted for new tires – and was announced the winner after heavy rain followed two lightning delays. There were 33 laps remaining when the 160-lap race has been halted.<\/p>\n
Haley was 27th when leader Austin Dillon triggered a 17-car crash which took out almost half the field and the majority of the best contenders. He passed a range of wrecked cars and then a few more that left pit stops.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Haley won’t lock in a place in the playoffs, however. He’s a fulltime driver in the second-tier Xfinity Series and was making his third Cup Series start – for newcomer Spire Motorsports. The group’s No. 77 Chevrolet can secure a postseason bid, but only as long as it ends up in the top 30 in points.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, it was a fitting end for the final July race at NASCAR’s most famous track.<\/p>\n
The event, which was postponed a day because of rain, was plagued with inclement weather and filled with unpredictable winners in recent decades. It is moving to late August in 2020 – the regular-season finale – as part of NASCAR’s major schedule shake-up.<\/p>\n
William Byron finished second, followed by seven-time Cup winner Jimmie Johnson and Ty Dillon. Manufacturer Chevrolet won for the second consecutive week and took the top four spots.<\/p>\n
Ryan Newman was fifth in a Ford.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Drivers Bubba Wallace and Daniel Hemric entertained lovers during two lightning flaws by throwing a soccer across the trail and in the stands.<\/p>\n
Wallace and Hemric each had a couple of throws and even got booed a bit.<\/p>\n
But it certainly gave fans a reason to stay around for at least an hour without any racing.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
3:18 p.m.<\/p>\n
Lighting has halted the NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway with Justin Haley at the lead.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Haley is a part-time motorist for newcomer Spire Motorsports. He finished second in Friday night’s second-tier Xfinity Series race while driving for Kaulig Racing. This is his third Cup Series start.<\/p>\n
Kurt Busch was leading the 400-mile race after a 17-car mess. But Busch ducked onto pit road for fuel under warning. That left Haley front, and as soon as the red flag was pulled due to a nearby lightning strike, it left Busch in 18th. As cars were parked and covered on pit road.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
3 p.m.<\/p>\n
With dark clouds looming and the end of the race in sight, pioneer Austin Dillon wrecked almost half the field at Daytona International Speedway.<\/p>\n
“The Big One” happened on Lap 119 in Turn 1 and included 17 cars – most of these at the front of the area.<\/p>\n
Clint Bowyer was pushing Dillon to the front on the outside and made a hard move left to attempt and pass the pioneer. Dillon turned left in No. 3 Chevrolet, tagged Bowyer and then started spinning and taking out competitors.<\/p>\n
“I guess that he did not want me to pass him,” Bowyer said.<\/p>\n
All four Joe Gibbs Racing automobiles – Deny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and defending race winner Erik Jones – were involved. So were Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott.<\/p>\n
“I was being aggressive and trying to keep the guide,” Dillon said.” That is what you get.”<\/p>\n
Kurt Busch was able to make it through this melee unscathed.<\/p>\n