By Tim Rogers |
Michael McDowell of Front Row Motorsports won the rain delayed Daytona 500 early Monday morning after avoiding a last lap wreck. The 36 year old Glendale, Arizona native gets his first career NASCAR Cup Series win in the most prestigious race on the NASCAR schedule.
McDowell was running in third place when Penske Racing drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano made contact, sending Logano into the grass and Keselowski into the wall opening up an opportunity for Mcdowell to take first place and win the race.
I just can’t believe it,” McDowell said in a post race interview with Fox Sports. “So many years just grinding it out, waiting for an opportunity like this.”
“I’m so thankful, such a great way to get a first victory. Daytona 500, are you kidding me?!”
The race was delayed for rain and lighting after just 15 laps. The delay started shortly after 3 p.m. ET and was red flagged until 9 p.m. ET where the race ran into Monday morning and finished under the lights.
Reigning Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott finished in the runner up position while Joe Gibbs Racings Denny Hamlin who won the 2019 and 2020 Daytona 500 came in 5th place.
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