54th Daytona 500

SI Staff | Feb 28, 2012

54th Daytona 500

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Matt Kenseth won a delayed yet highlight-filled Daytona 500 for the second time in four years. The race, originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, didn't finish until after midnight on Tuesday. It was set back by rain all day Sunday and on Monday afternoon. During the race, a crash into a jet dryer -- and subsequent fire -- delayed action by two hours.

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For the first time, the Great American Race was a Monday affair. Rain pushed the start back from Sunday to just after 7 p.m.

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The 43-car field started the race at 7:14 at Daytona International Speedway.

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A large crowd turned out, despite the delays, for the first night start of the Daytona 500.

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No. 99 Carl Edwards and No. 16 Greg Biffle led the field from Row 1.

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Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson (top), Danica Patrick and defending Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne were involved in a wreck on the second lap. Elliott Sadler (not pictured) nudged Johnson from behind, turning the No. 48 into the wall and collecting other cars, including the No. 10 Patrick.

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Patrick hit Johnson, but she escaped major damage while spinning through the infield. Still, she didn't get back in the race until lap 66.

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Johnson and David Ragan were treated and released from the medical center, but both would not return to the race.

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Crew members work on Johnson's car, but it wouldn't get back on the track Monday.

John Raoux/AP

Johnson told the Associated Press he's "really, really bummed to start the season this way." Since Johnson's Daytona win in 2006, his finishes had been 39th, 27th, 31st, 35th and 27th.

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Another former Daytona 500 winner, No. 39 Ryan Newman, spun out on the 13th lap, losing a tire. A.J. Allmendinger added insult by rear-ending Newman on pit road.

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Three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon (No. 24) blew his engine on lap 81, ending his night.

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No. 32 Terry Labonte, whose first NASCAR start came in 1978, spun out while trying to move up to earn the halfway bonus of $200,000.

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Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, led at the halfway point of 200 laps to take the $200,000.

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Juan Pablo Montoya's car collided with a jet dryer, igniting Daytona International Speedway on lap 160. Montoya emerged from his car without obvious injuries, but the race was red flagged.

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Montoya walks off with emergency personnel as the jet dryer ignites.

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The 2000 Indy 500 winner Montoya's car was damaged beyond repair.

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The track was damaged severely. Drivers exited their cars, and Brad Keselowski even started tweeting.

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Keselowski (right) likely tweeting.

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Keselowski (Miller Lite suit) takes a break between tweets to chat with his fellow drivers. Dave Blaney (second from left), a 75-to-1 underdog, was in the lead at the stoppage.

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Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. share a laugh during the delay next to a portable toilet.

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Patrick poses with a fan for a picture during the delay.

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One crew member from each team boarded a bus to strap the drivers back into their cars to restart the race after a delay of more than two hours.

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Reigning Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart (bottom left) saw his hopes of breaking his Daytona 500 drought go up in smoke with a handful of laps to go.

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Kenseth rolled into Victory Lane at about 1 a.m., beating out Dale Earnhardt Jr. and teammate Greg Biffle. Patrick finished 38th.