Love’s Driver McDowell wins Daytona after long rain delay
DAYTONA BEACH – February 14, 2021 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
Stock Car’s fiercest gladiators strapped in their chariots of horsepower to challenge the 2.5 Superspeedway at Daytona International Speedway in quest for the Harley J. Earl Trophy. Many ambitious drivers have attempted, only a few succeed. Wednesday’s pole qualifying set the front row for the Daytona 500 with Alex Bowman earning the nod whom occupies the famed and familiar No. 48 Chevrolet.
Stage 1 Recap: – 2021 Daytona 500
The results of Thursday’s Duels races won by Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon set the remainder of the field for the 63rd running of the Great American Race.
Aggression played a prominent factor as seen on Lap 13 as Christopher Bell tagged Aric Almirola igniting an early “Big One”. The 16-car pileup that knocked out a number of front line contenders including: Martin Truex Jr., Tyler Reddick, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, William Byron, and Matt Dibenedetto were among those drivers involved in the wreck.
As anticipated, inclement weather rolled into Volusia County covering the track facilities forcing a red flag delay that lasted nearly six hours.
After the weather ceased, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, David Ragan and 1990 Daytona 500 Winner Derrike Cope were all classified out of the race.
Add also Anthony Alfredo, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher and Quin Houff to the list whom additional were ruled out as the race, eliminating any chance to host the checkers.
Back to Back Daytona 500 winner – Denny Hamlin avoiding carnage found himself back upfront holding off a smaller field for the valuable Stage 1 Win.
Stage 1 Results: – 2021 Daytona 500
- Denny Hamlin
2. Ryan Preece
3. Austin Dillon
4. Kyle Larson
5. Austin Cindric
6. Christopher Bell
7. Bubba Wallace
8. Joey Logano
9. Ross Chastain
10. Cole Custer
Stage 2 Recap: – 2021 Daytona 500
Stage 2 spotlighted NASCAR’s new team owners Michael Jordon and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team piloted by Bubba Wallace. Contending for the Stage 2 win, Bubba Wallace would battle his 23XI team owner Denny Hamlin for the Stage win, only to be held off by the season veteran.
Stage 2 Results: – 2021 Daytona 500
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Bubba Wallace
- Chase Elliott
- Austin Dillion
- Kyle Larson
- Kyle Busch
- Brad Keselowski
- Ryan Preece
- Austin Cindric
Final Stage – 2021 Daytona 500
Denny Hamlin dominance soon to extinguished as Joey Logano led a furry of drafters past Hamlin with 25 Laps remaining. Joey Logano set his sights for the checkers only to be interrupted by Brad Keselowski’s bumper horn. Unfortunately, the Penske teammates would tangle on the final lap, opening the door forMichael McDowell. McDowell was the beneficiary of the mayhem and earning the prestigious Harley J. Earl Trophy and checking off his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of his career.
2021 Daytona 500 – Final Results
| 1. | Michael McDowell |
| 2. | Chase Elliott |
| 3. | Austin Dillon |
| 4. | Kevin Harvick |
| 5. | Denny Hamlin |
| 6. | Ryan Preece |
| 7. | Ross Chastain |
| 8. | Jamie McMurray |
| 9. | Corey LaJoie |
| 10. | Kyle Larson |
| 11. | Cole Custer |
| 12. | Joey Logano |
| 13. | Brad Keselowski |
| 14. | Kyle Busch |
| 15. | Austin Cindric |
| 16. | Christopher Bell |
| 17. | Bubba Wallace |
| 18. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 19. | Chase Briscoe |
| 20. | Joey Gase |
| 21. | Cody Ware |
| 22. | Kurt Busch |
| 23. | BJ McLeod |
| 24. | Josh Bilicki |
| 25. | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 26. | William Byron |
| 27. | Tyler Reddick |
| 28. | Kaz Grala |
| 29. | Quin Houff |
| 30. | Ryan Blaney |
| 31. | Chris Buescher |
| 32. | Anthony Alfredo |
| 33. | Matt DiBenedetto |
| 34. | Aric Almirola |
| 35. | Alex Bowman |
| 36. | Daniel Suarez |
| 37. | David Ragan |
| 38. | Ryan Newman |
| 39. | Erik Jones |
| 40. | Derrike Cope |
NASCAR Cup Series 2nd point’s race of the season remains at the World Center of Racing utilizing the Daytona International Speedway Road Course – Sun, Feb. 21, 3:00 p.m. E.T., Fox / Sirius NASCAR 90