There's no words that can describe what we witness in Daytona this afternoon. There was no shortage of what could be wrote about for the four and a half hours of action.
It was a record-setting afternoon for cautions (16), leaders (22) and lead changes (74). It could be talked about the two-car tandems that were the huge discussion since the Budweiser Shootout. It could be the big wreck that took out many favorites to win.
Maybe discuss the race itself and how the track played into everyone's favor. It provided fast racing, and many exciting moments.
But no, after all that happened in the race, and then through two Green-White-Checkered finishes, it was all about the driver that went to victory lane.
A storybook ending to an incredible Speedweeks as not only did Ford return to victory lane at Daytona, but they did with a driver that is a pure rookie in NASCAR. In fact, it was a driver not even going for the championship.
From this day forward, everyone will remember the name Trevor Bayne. After celebrating his 20th birthday just one day prior, gets the greatest birthday gift he could ever ask for. It was he, who only has a part-time deal in Sprint Cup competition, and in only his second-ever Cup start, crossed the finish line to win the 53rd Annual Daytona 500.
"Am I dreaming?" Bayne said on the radio. There's no dreaming there as it was real as real could be.
Thursday we could see that he was fast, as Jeff Gordon stayed right with him the entire time in the second Gatorade Duel, and believed he could surprise a lot of people by helping them to the front and staying at the front.
He could not have been more correct and now, he can stand alongside the likes of Petty, Allison, Earnhardt, Gordon, Johnson and McMurray and Daytona 500 champions.
So, how did our writers fair in their debut points race? Truth be told, not so good. Only two ended the day with a top-five finish, and despite many running near the front, in the end they fell just a bit short. Some got involved in the early big wreck, others blew motors, and some just got caught up in late accidents.
No writers picked Bayne to win, but who could ever predict the rookie would take the big race.
Here's a look at where the writers stand after the Daytona 500:
Kelly Crandall (40) Kurt Busch finished fifth (0)
Billy Fellin (40) Kurt Busch finished fifth (0)
Misan Ayuka (31) Tony Stewart finished 13th (0)
Sal Sigala Jr. (31) Tony Stewart finished 13th (0)
Summer Dreyer (28) Clint Bowyer finished 17th (0)
Kara Martin (21) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 24th (0)
Rob Tiongson (21) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 24th (0)
Ryan O'Hara (17) Jeff Gordon finished 28th (0)
Dustin Parks (17) Jeff Gordon finished 28th (0)
Christopher Leone (9) Jeff Burton finished 36th (0)
James Broomhead (3) Kevin Harvick finished 42nd (0)
Michael Hirshbein (3) Kevin Harvick finished 42nd (0)
NEXT RACE: Now that the drama and excitement of Daytona has concluded, the rest of the season begins. Many people, drivers included, say the season really begins at week two.
The difference between this year and last year is that week two is at a new location. For 2011, NASCAR travels from the beaches of Florida out to the Arizona desert. As part of the schedule realignment announced last year, NASCAR now heads to the Phoenix International Raceway.
Writers, you got your first taste of action, and now it's time to get into the bulk of the season.
Picks for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 are due by Thursday, February 24, at 7 pm ET.
Written by:
