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Live Event Coverage

NASCAR Daytona 500 - Stock car racing's blue riband race, mile after mile around Florida's coast

Published by Mr. C

Kasey Kahne heads the field during the Gatorade Duels on Thursday.
Kasey Kahne heads the field during the Gatorade Duels on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

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Daytona Beach, Florida, Sunday

24℃

  • Low 13℃
  • Humidity 37%

Intermittent clouds

NASCAR's blue riband race, the 500 mile race at Daytona Beach, Florida gets underway this evening. 200 laps of nose-to-tail racing and as the biggest names American motor sport run nose to tail at almost 200mph.

Ahead of the race, all the talk is of the repaved track surface requiring two-car tandem racing at extreme speeds. NASCAR has been back and forth on cooling restrictions to reduce the ability for cars to run close together, but on Saturday slightly relaxed earlier restrictions.

Live text

Along with live commenting the race, Sidepodcast will be offering text updates of significant events. Follow below to make sure you miss none of the action.

As it happened: Nascar Daytona 500

  • 17:30

    Good evening everyone!

  • 17:31

    We are testing out the Factbyte Factbox with some good ol' NASCAR at Daytona.

  • 17:32

    At the moment, we're enjoying some pre-race country music.

  • 17:35

    From Nascar.com: It is a beautiful day in Daytona Beach, Fla., for the Great American Race. It's currently 71 degrees under mostly sunny skies and should remain sunny throughout the afternoon. Green for the Daytona 500 is scheduled for 1:29 p.m

    I'm assuming that's not Celsius, and that's definitely not GMT.

  • 17:50
    Qualifying Position
    1Dale Earnhardt Jr.Amp Energy / National Guard
    2Jeff GordonDrive to End Hunger
    3Kurt BuschShell / Pennzoil
    4Jeff BurtonCaterpillar
    5Regan SmithFurniture Row Companies
    6Clint BowyerCheerios / Hamburger Helper
    7Kevin HarvickBudweiser
    8Michael WaltripNAPA Auto Parts
    9Matt KensethCrown Royal BLack
    10Kyle BuschM&Ms
  • 17:51

    Apologies for the lengthy delay. I had to grab a snack, as all those Cheerio style sponsors made me hungry.

  • 17:52

    TweetTweet from @Hinchtown: In lieu of watching any Daytona Pre Race show, I'm watching Talladega Nights. #moreentertaining

  • 17:53

    For those who are watching the pre-race stuff, they're doing a piece on 5-time champ Jimmie Johnson.

  • 17:54

    This is the first race of a 36 strong calendar.

  • 17:56

    TweetTweet from @kleebanks: Almost time for the Daytona 500!!! Who's gonna win? Hubby and I are pulling for either Mark Martin or Dale Junior!! #NASCAR

  • 18:00

    Denny Hamlin on his tough week: "We've had everything... we even had the lights go out on us during practice. Things have progressively gotten a little bit better... we've got a good shot at it."

    Hamlin starts 18th.

  • 18:01

    Another country music song, with racing lyrics. Apparently the crowd goes wild and no one can do it NASCAR style. That rhymes. Sort of.

  • 18:04

    TweetTweet from @Jersey2Bronx: While I am not a huge NASCAR fan, I usually consider the Daytona 500 the unofficial start of Spring, & reminder that Summer is coming soon

  • 18:06

    The Fox pundits (apologies for not knowing who they are) talk of the dual racing we're seeing at Daytona.

    "These guys have perfected the fact, with 450 horsepower nose to tail, you've got 900 horsepower."

    "Synchronised racing."

  • 18:11

    Rev. Dr. L Ronald Durham offers a prayer for the racers and for the greater world.

  • 18:11

    The crowd stands for the National Anthem, sung by Martina McBride.

  • 18:13

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds do a fly past.

  • 18:13

    4:50 to command. Command what, I don't know yet. Is it the engine thing?

  • 18:14

    The countdown, and lots more, is sponsored by Pizza Hut. This is also making me hungry.

  • 18:15

    From what I can see on Twitter, the fans appreciated Martina's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Goodo.

  • 18:17

    Pizza Hut predictions

    Mike - Tony Stewart

    Larry - Kurt Busch

    DW - Earnhardt Jr

    Hammond - Kevin Harvick

  • 18:18

    Start Your Engines.

  • 18:20

    TweetTweet from @MattTaliaferro: For as good as the Anthem was, they really mangled the command to fire engines. And every big race needs a good command. #NASCAR

  • 18:22

    TweetTweet from @slywheel: Tweeting from my phone for the first time ever to save on bandwidth for stream #nascar

    That's dedication for you.

  • 18:23

    The field is beginning to form as they exit the pitlane.

  • 18:23

    Chevy Camero SS Pace Car leads the field. There are some Transformers cars at the back of the field.

  • 18:25

    The Transformers cars have dropped off the back now. Can't stand the pace, clearly.

  • 18:26

    Trevor Bayne from the car: "We're all here to win, but I understand it's my first 500 and we're all here to learn. It has the capability to run upfront, it's finding that buddy to work with. We've got a lot of support, we're pumped about it."

  • 18:29

    QuoteComment from The Boston Red Scott: Montoya just got a mention. I'm cheering for him I think. I just miss his name from F1.

  • 18:30 Lap 1

    Green flagRace started.

  • 18:31 Lap 1

    They'll start pairing up now.

  • 18:31 Lap 1

    They have started pairing up already.

  • 18:33 Lap 4

    A nice tribute to Earnhardt Senior, with a silent lap 3. Everyone in the crowd held up 3 fingers as well.

  • 18:34 Lap 4

    Thankfully no one crashed, or that would have been an awkward silent lap.

  • 18:34 Lap 4

    Kyle Busch has spun it.

  • 18:36 Lap 5

    Yellow flagYellow flags.

  • 18:38 Lap 5

    Replays show Kyle Busch drifting left and then back across in front of his drift partner but lost control on his own really.

  • 18:39 Lap 7

    Kyle's radio on the replay: "It was three wide, I had nowhere to go. Stupidly insane."

  • 18:40 Lap 8

    Michael Waltrip on the radio: "I didn't do anything wrong, I stayed right in the middle like he asked me too."

  • 18:40 Lap 8

    Busch is in pit road, they are realigning the front of his car.

  • 18:41 Lap 8

    The commentators have good facts: Some drivers can talk to up to 15 different competitors by selecting them on the radio. But some drivers, like Busch, have refused to give out their frequencies, and competitors have to go through their spotters.

  • 18:41 Lap 9

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 18:41 Lap 9

    Kervin Harwick is currently leading.

  • 18:43 Lap 11

    The field is spreading slightly, the leaders are lining up, those at the back are trailing off. In the middle though, many cars going three or four wide.

  • 18:43 Lap 11

    Yellow flagYellow flags for oil on track.

  • 18:45 Lap 11

    J.J. Yeley's car was spewing smoke which has caused the second caution.

  • 18:45 Lap 12

    Cars are piling into pit road to put fuel in their car. Half the field stopped during the earlier caution as well.

  • 18:46 Lap 12

    Kevin Harvick struggled to get away from his pit box, and almost took his fuel guy with him. All safe and sound though.

  • 18:50 Lap 15

    Dale Earnhardt Jr's spotter said on the radio he couldn't see the caution lights, which almost caused a collision.

  • 18:52 Lap 16

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 18:53 Lap 17

    Labonte is currently leading, followed (rather closely) by Keselowski.

  • 18:54 Lap 18

    Menard and Stewart behind have just slipped into the lead.

  • 18:55 Lap 20

    For Montoya fans, he's up to third at the moment.

  • 18:56 Lap 22

    Montoya is partnered up with Jamie McMurray, they did a perfect swap to put Montoya in front. A third car joined up behind them as well!

  • 18:58 Lap 22

    This will change as soon as I've typed it: Menard, Stewart, Montoya, McMurray, Labonte

  • 18:59 Lap 22

    TweetTweet from @NASCAR24Maniac: Kevin Harvick just blew up. #NASCAR

  • 18:59 Lap 22

    It's quite tricky following Twitter. I'm seeing an alert for over 10,000 comments each time I refresh, which means about 30,000 tweets a minute. This Daytona business is quite popular!

  • 19:00 Lap 23

    Yellow flagYellow flags.

  • 19:00 Lap 23

    Chaos in the pitlane. Montoya was leading when he came in.

  • 19:01 Lap 23

    It looks like Montoya retained his lead out of pit road.

  • 19:02 Lap 25

    Replays show Harvick's car blowing up, smoke filling the lane. Jeff Gordon couldn't see anything, and bumped into the car in front. He's in pit road with the crew examining the bumper. Back on track now.

  • 19:02 Lap 25

    Kevin Harvick climbs out of the car and removes his helmet.

  • 19:03 Lap 26

    Harvick: "They're suspecting a broken block. Didn't do anything different to what I had been doing. Just a ten, fifteen degree oil temperature difference... tough way to start the year but man, like you say, we never blow motors."

  • 19:04 Lap 26

    TweetTweet from @NASCAR_Rewards: Apparently that was the first blown engine for Harv in 150 races. Wow. #NASCAR

  • 19:04 Lap 27

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 19:05 Lap 28

    Montoya has drifted back to sixth. Bowyer is leading for this lap. Earnhardt Jr behind.

  • 19:07 Lap 29

    CrashBig Crash.

  • 19:09 Lap 30

    Replays showed Waltrip turning Reutimann. Then good grief, the collateral damage. Biffle was involved.

  • 19:10 Lap 30

    QuoteComment from Steven Roy: Nose to tail at 200mph doesn't leave much reaction time

  • 19:11 Lap 30

    Reutimann in the garage: "I don't know, it's a product of this kind of racing. Mike was pushing me and I don't think I anticipated the guys moving up in front of us as they did. It's not Mike's fault, he's pushing, that's all you can do from behind. I was probably a bit slow on the draw there, giving him a head's up. It'll be a miracle [if we can get back out]"

  • 19:12 Lap 30

    TweetTweet from @jenlada: Slow motion does not do NASCAR crashes justice. Makes high speed collisions look like gentle caresses. Or amusement park bumper cars.

  • 19:15 Lap 33

    Yellow flagOoops, got carried away with the crash and all.

  • 19:18 Lap 34

    Jeff Gordon: "It doesn't really matter at this point. Our chances of winning the 500 are over at this point, that's the disappointing thing... we were having a lot of fun... They need to let it thin out a little bit, as soon as it thins out then go to it, it can be very safe. I was just sitting there, waiting for it to thin out, I probably should have waited further back. They're pushing and shoving up the back straight, straight away. You can understand those guys in the first few rows... it's going to be a heck of a race to watch. It's hot, a little slicker today. Unfortunately for us, the damage is going to take a while to get it fixed, but we'll get back out there and get as many laps as we can."

  • 19:19 Lap 34

    Five damaged cars still on track, at the moment. The first six cars didn't pit under this cuation. McMurray and Montoya are leading.

  • 19:19 Lap 36

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 19:20 Lap 36

    Commentator says: "The problem you have is, this is a race..."

    Indeed.

  • 19:22 Lap 39

    Top five for now: Menard, Bowyer, Truex Jr, Keselowski, Smith.

  • 19:23 Lap 40

    Michael Waltrip, out of the car: "I just didn't get the information soon enough. I was pushing David, and he said give me some room, then all of a sudden said I've got to go low... when you change directions pushing in the corner, it's just a recipe for disaster. As a driver I'm frustrated, as an owner it's expensive, but as a fan, I can't wait to go watch."

  • 19:25 Lap 42

    Dale Earnhardt Jr stats: currently 13th, high 1st, low 36th.

  • 19:28 Lap 42

    Daytona resurfacing facts:

    - Six months to repave

    - Repaving started 5th July 2010

    - Used 50,000 tonnes of asphalt

    - 1.4 million square feet

    - First repaving since 1979

  • 19:29 Lap 45

    CrashRichardson crashes into the inside wall.

  • 19:29 Lap 46

    Yellow flagFifth caution.

  • 19:30 Lap 46

    TweetTweet from @HockeyKamen: @factbyfactbox Not to mention temporarily removing floodlight stanchans and sections of fencing to get the paving equipmenmt to stay on the 31 degree banked turns

  • 19:31 Lap 47

    QuoteComment from The Boston Red Scott: Richardson #37 was the lead car of a pair, car went off down into the inside wall for a relatively low impact collision.

  • 19:32 Lap 47

    Number 37 spinsRichardson spins around.

  • 19:35 Lap 50

    TweetTweet from @RSH2o: LeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeftLeft. ....NASCAR is so much fun....

  • 19:35 Lap 50

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 19:36 Lap 50

    Blaney leading at the moment, as we reach "the quarter pole."

  • 19:37 Lap 53

    Commentators on why they are running in twos and not threes: "You can second-guess, but you can't third-guess."

  • 19:37 Lap 53

    Top five at the moment: Menard, Smith, Bowyer, Burton, Keselowski

  • 19:39 Lap 55

    Robert Richardson has been released from the care centre after his crash. He's okay.

  • 19:40 Lap 56

    Montoya is still up there, sixth or thereabouts at the moment.

  • 19:40 Lap 57

    The mid pack are still three wide, occasionally four wide!

  • 19:41 Lap 57

    Brian Vickers had damage from the earlier crash, he rejoined the track but has pulled off now. Doesn't look like he will make it back to the garage.

  • 19:41 Lap 57

    Yellow flagYellow flags for Vickers, despite the fact he's miles off track.

  • 19:43 Lap 57

    Cars streaming into pit road again. Most going for fuel only.

  • 19:44 Lap 58

    QuoteComment from Steven Roy: Sounds like NASCAR need to be able to cut in and scream YELLOW YELLOW YELLOW at all the drivers then let their spotters talk to them

  • 19:46 Lap 59

    TweetTweet from @mikehembree: Some cars mangled in the earlier Big One now returning to the track to mop up a few laps. A zany activity caused by points system. #nascar

  • 19:47 Lap 60

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 19:47 Lap 61

    29 cars on the lead lap.

  • 19:49 Lap 63

    Montoya and McMurray discuss their drafting over the radio. McMurray says it was hard to lock up on his bumper when you're in traffic. Montoya says they have fast enough cars to get back up there.

  • 19:49 Lap 63

    Currently they are sitting 13th and 14th.

  • 19:56 Lap 72

    Smith, Busch and Earnhardt Jr lead at the moment. Earnhardt was just voted the Pizza Hut fan favourite on Fox. Mmm, pizza.

  • 20:00 Lap 72

    I saw a tweet fly past that read: "Why is NASCAR real?" That is quite the philosophical question.

  • 20:02 Lap 76

    Yellow flagSeventh caution of the day. Cars piling down pit road again.

  • 20:02 Lap 76

    Replays show Travis Kvapil hitting the wall. Commentators suggest it might have been a slow puncture.

  • 20:04 Lap 76

    Current standings: Logano, Burton and Earnhardt Jr.

  • 20:05 Lap 80

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 20:06 Lap 81

    Earnhardt Jr takes the lead. The crowd goes wild.

  • 20:06 Lap 81

    28 cars still on the lead lap.

  • 20:07 Lap 82

    Earnhardt Jr crashed in practice and had to go to a backup car. He's battling for the lead, with Montoya and McMurray.

  • 20:08 Lap 83

    Again, McMurray is struggling to keep up with Montoya.

  • 20:09 Lap 84

    Commentators appear to have invented the word "co-opetition."

  • 20:13 Lap 84

    TweetTweet from @psychemedia: @factbytefactbox co-operative competition: share the common costs and recieve mutually exclusive, non-competing benefits

  • 20:14 Lap 90

    Kyle Busch was leading a draft pairing, but seems to be struggling with his car.

  • 20:16 Lap 93

    TweetTweet from @DavidKrimmel: This is Juan Pablo's year! #NASCAR

  • 20:16 Lap 94

    Jeff Burton's engine fails and he's running slowly round the inside.

  • 20:17 Lap 95

    Ambient temperature nudging 80 degrees - commentator suggests it's the warmest day of the week.

  • 20:20 Lap 95

    TweetTweet from @RacingWithRich: Both Burton and Harvick were pushing at the time engines expired. ECR engines need to lead. #NASCAR

  • 20:21 Lap 100

    Kurt Busch has led the most laps so far - 14.

  • 20:21 Lap 100

    We are halfway through.

  • 20:22 Lap 101

    Jeff Burton: "We're asking a lot of the engines here, for sure. These are tough situations. We thought we were well within our limits. I'm proud of everybody. We ran well all week. Disapponted, but proud of everybody."

    Then proper tears!

  • 20:24 Lap 104

    TweetTweet from @bobpockrass: Walking from garage to media center, saw Robert Richardson Jr. outside fanzone bistro. Out of race, I guess you've got to eat. #nascar

  • 20:25 Lap 104

    Current top five: Newman, Logano, Smith, Kurt Busch, R. Gordon

  • 20:25 Lap 104

    This is a long green flag period, commentators suggest we are just 14 or so laps from green flag pit stops, which we haven't seen yet so far.

  • 20:28 Lap 105

    Yellow flagMontoya spins off to cause a caution.

  • 20:29 Lap 106

    We didn't get to those green stops.

  • 20:30 Lap 108

    Replays show Montoya losing control a little, but weaves back into it and gets to pit road.

  • 20:32 Lap 109

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 20:34 Lap 111

    Montoya is 25th now.

  • 20:34 Lap 112

    Current top five: Kurt Busch, Smith, Truex Jr, Bayne, Bowyer.

  • 20:36 Lap 114

    Four pairs of cars up there fighting for the lead.

  • 20:36 Lap 114

    Apparently it was Trevor Bayne's birthday yesterday, he was 20 years old.

  • 20:42 Lap 121

    Throughout that ad break, we had great insight into the conversation between Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart.

  • 20:43 Lap 123
    Laps Led
    TotalDriver
    17Busch
    16Bowyer
    11McMurray
  • 20:43 Lap 123

    Seems to me that McMurray benefited from an awesome Montoya behind him and didn't necessarily return the favour.

  • 20:43 Lap 123

    Yellow flagYellow flags - 9th caution.

  • 20:44 Lap 123

    Kvapil limps into pit road.

  • 20:44 Lap 124

    TweetTweet from @brotherflounder: Kvapil blows ANOTHER tire. Please park him. #NASCAR

  • 20:46 Lap 124

    Pit road is crazy chaos once more. Doesn't look like there are too many tyre changes. Busch definitely changing the right side.

  • 20:47 Lap 124

    Either Earnhardt or Stewart says to the other: "Why don't you get some more drink, man, you've been working hard out there."

    Aw, they look after each other's health too.

  • 20:49 Lap 124

    QuoteComment from CAMikaze: Will we have pit stops under green today?

  • 20:50 Lap 126

    The restart is put back a lap, not sure why.

  • 20:52 Lap 128

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 20:54 Lap 130

    Bobby Labonte was running in the top five but has slowed down, looks like he's heading back to pit road.

  • 20:55 Lap 132

    Kenseth has a bit of bodywork sticking out which looks like it might be slowing him down.

  • 20:56 Lap 133

    Current top five: Bowyer, Menard, Stewart, Kyle Busch, Newman.

  • 20:57 Lap 133

    TweetTweet from @Xooma_Racing: this race may end up w/ a car many laps down pushing a teammate to the win #nascar

  • 21:00 Lap 134

    CrashKenseth has crashed heavily into the wall, but is okay. Looks like the car behind bumped him a bit too hard.

  • 21:00 Lap 136

    Yellow flagYellow flags - 10th caution.

  • 21:01 Lap 136

    Apparently the race record for cautions is 11, which has happened three times. My guess is we're bound to make that four.

  • 21:03 Lap 137

    More pit road action.

  • 21:05 Lap 138

    TweetTweet from @bobpockrass: Mark Martin getting free pass and that will put 27 cars on lead lap with 63 to go. #nascar

  • 21:07 Lap 139

    Current top five: Bowyer, Menard, Stewart, Kyle Busch, Truex Jr.

  • 21:08 Lap 139

    Track reporters say that Bowyer has told Stewart he might hook up with Menard for a bit, but might be back later. Complicated!

  • 21:08 Lap 140

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 21:10 Lap 140

    CrashMontoya and Biffle crash. Montoya saves it to head for pit road. Biffle looks more damaged.

  • 21:10 Lap 140

    Yellow flagYellow flags - 11th caution.

  • 21:11 Lap 140

    Biffle is climbing out of the car, not sure where he has come to a halt though.

  • 21:13 Lap 141

    Biffle's car being towed away now.

  • 21:13 Lap 141

    Cars in pit road again.

  • 21:14 Lap 141

    Biffle comes to a haltBiffle's car comes to a halt, after ploughing through plenty of grass.

  • 21:15 Lap 141

    TweetTweet from @TomSavage: These Drivers are all so nice to each other in these after crash interviews. I liked the old days when the would push and shove. #NASCAR

  • 21:16 Lap 141

    TweetTweet from @scottaltimaman: grass looks nice but does nothing to slow the cars down, time to pave it #nascar #daytona500 #comeonman

  • 21:17 Lap 145

    Current top five: Truex Jr, Bayne, Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Busch, Logano.

  • 21:17 Lap 146

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 21:18 Lap 146

    Still 27 cars on the lead lap.

  • 21:18 Lap 147

    Montoya currently running 24th.

  • 21:19 Lap 147

    TweetTweet from @mikefraney: @factbytefactbox how many laps left?

  • 21:19 Lap 147

    Just 53 laps to go now.

  • 21:19 Lap 147

    58 lead changes in this Daytona 500 so far - the record is 60.

  • 21:21 Lap 149

    TweetTweet from @Msave69: Very expensive day for many teams at#daytona500 #nascar

  • 21:21 Lap 150

    TweetTweet from @HockeyKamen: @factbytefactbox At the 3/4 pole now. 50 Laps to go. #NASCAR #Daytona

  • 21:22 Lap 151

    It looks like Montoya has hooked up with McMurray again.

  • 21:22 Lap 152

    They're running around the 10th/11th mark.

  • 21:23 Lap 153

    Dale Earnhardt is up there scrapping for the win. It's been 93 races since his last Sprint Cup win. The crowd would go wild.

  • 21:25 Lap 153

    QuoteComment from The Boston Red Scott: I'm enjoying watching a sport where minor contact doesn't finish a team's chances.

  • 21:26 Lap 153

    TweetTweet from @TheF1Archive: @factbytefactbox It's Jr. Best not confuse the Earnhardt's

    Apologies. I figured it was a given that Sr wasn't racing, given we had a three minute silence for him earlier.

  • 21:27 Lap 157

    Yellow flagYellow flags - the record breaking 12th caution.

  • 21:28 Lap 157

    Kvapil brushed up against the wall and knocked his car apart.

  • 21:30 Lap 158

    They're heading down to pit road now.

  • 21:31 Lap 158

    Looks like Montoya was fourth out of the pit road exit race.

  • 21:31 Lap 158

    Labonte looks like he's struggling to get back out again.

  • 21:32 Lap 160

    40 laps to go.

  • 21:35 Lap 162

    62 lead changes, 12 cautions so far.

  • 21:35 Lap 162

    TweetTweet from @littlepun: I can't believe kevin left!! I know it sucks to be out but I would just step out on pitroad and watch....maybe that's just me??#nascar

  • 21:37 Lap 162

    Assuming nothing else goes kaboom, the cars should be able to make it to the end of the race.

  • 21:37 Lap 163

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 21:38 Lap 163

    NASCAR thermocamNASCAR thermocam.

  • 21:38 Lap 163

    TweetTweet from @IzzieBristow: Really diggin the Heat cam that @Nascar has this year. Interesting to see whats hot and whats not!

  • 21:40 Lap 166

    Current top five: Hamlin, Newman, McMurray, D. Ragan, Bayne.

  • 21:40 Lap 166

    CrashKeselowski has hit the wall. Smith also spun it.

  • 21:41 Lap 166

    Yellow flag13th caution.

  • 21:41 Lap 166

    Replays show contact between Keselowski and Jordan. The errant number 2 car narrowly missed Stewart and Montoya, plus a couple of others.

  • 21:46 Lap 169

    Current top five: Hamlin, Newman, D. Ragan, Bayne, Earnhardt Jr.

  • 21:46 Lap 169

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 21:47 Lap 169

    None of the first sixteen drivers stopped under that caution.

  • 21:48 Lap 171

    Kyle Busch gets a wobble on but catches it expertly to remain in position.

  • 21:48 Lap 172

    Current top five: Newman, Hamlin, Menard, Stewart, D. Ragan.

  • 21:50 Lap 172

    TweetTweet from @montanaro28: Anyone else get goosebumps when NASCAR on FOX Cranks It Up? Still waiting for something else in sports that is as riveting.

  • 21:52 Lap 177

    Truex runs wide from the middle pack and ended up going through pit road.

  • 21:54 Lap 177

    QuoteComment from CAMikaze: Top 10 finish by Blaney = Kids eat free at his sponsors restaurants.

  • 21:55 Lap 180

    TweetTweet from @blodger: Trevor Bayne is the story of the day. Amazing initiation for a young driver. #NASCAR

  • 21:56 Lap 182

    Current top ten: Newman, Hamlin, Bowyer, Busch, Ragan, Bayne, Busch, Smith, Stewart, Menard.

  • 21:56 Lap 182

    Yellow flagYellow flags.

  • 21:56 Lap 182

    Kazey Kahne runs high and into the wall, a right front tyre failure.

  • 21:57 Lap 182

    TweetTweet from @PaulBenn: JPM JPM JPM JPM #nascar. What can I say. I'm a #f1 fan

  • 21:57 Lap 182

    69 lead changes, 14 cautions.

  • 22:00 Lap 182
    Laps Led
    TotalDriver
    30
    Bowyer
    28Newman
    19Kurt Busch
    17Truex Jr.
  • 22:01 Lap 184

    Carl Edwards ran over some debris from Kahne which gave him a puncture too.

  • 22:01 Lap 185

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 22:02 Lap 185

    15 laps to go.

  • 22:04 Lap 187

    S Wallace heads to pit road with a tyre problem.

  • 22:05 Lap 188

    Newman out in front is doing 190+mph, the engines roaring at 9000rpm.

  • 22:06 Lap 190

    Commentator says of the engines: "At this point, forget the guages, run it till it blows."

  • 22:06 Lap 190

    10 laps.

  • 22:07 Lap 191

    Current leaders: Newman, Hamlin, Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Stewart, Earnhardt Jr.

  • 22:08 Lap 193

    Newman and his partner lost touch for a moment and have fallen backwards.

  • 22:09 Lap 194

    Stewart and Busch almost came together there.

  • 22:09 Lap 194

    Commentator: "And here comes... everybody."

  • 22:09 Lap 195

    There are six pairs of cars, and with five laps to go, it could be any of them.

  • 22:09 Lap 195

    Montoya, meanwhile, is down in 22nd. Never mind.

  • 22:10 Lap 196

    The pairs run three wide.

  • 22:11 Lap 196

    Yellow flagYellow flags - 15th caution.

  • 22:11 Lap 196

    Smith had a spin, his car looks okay. Newman's does not.

  • 22:12 Lap 196

    Replays show a gap forming with Smith in front, the car behind got a push from the one behind that, who then pushed him into an angle.

  • 22:12 Lap 196

    Final lapsRunning before the accident.

  • 22:13 Lap 196

    Hamlin had a flat tyre so went into pit road.

  • 22:13 Lap 196

    Kyle Busch also has a bit of damage.

  • 22:14 Lap 198

    Now leading: Regan, Bayne, then x2 Buschs.

  • 22:15 Lap 198

    Smith gets a spin onSmith gets a spin on.

  • 22:15 Lap 198

    Dale Earnhardt Jr on the radio suggesting his tyre is going down, a pit road visit follows.

  • 22:16 Lap 200

    We're on 200 laps now, but we've got to attempt to finish under green conditions.

  • 22:18 Lap 200

    Kyle Busch on the radio: "I told you, I told you, it don't matter how long you can push. It was always going to be a green, white, checker."

  • 22:21 Lap 202

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 22:22 Lap 202

    I've just realised I don't have a white flag.

  • 22:22 Lap 203

    CrashAccident!!

  • 22:22 Lap 203

    I may never need it!

  • 22:22 Lap 203

    Dale Earnhardt Jr is out. The crowd wail.

  • 22:23 Lap 203

    Before that there was talk of a black flag, it looks like Ragan didn't hold his lane on the restart.

  • 22:24 Lap 203

    We're watching replays but I can't figure out what happened. It looks like Earnhardt Jr was just collected in the aftermath of something else.

  • 22:25 Lap 203

    Kyle Busch visits pit road.

  • 22:25 Lap 203

    Ooh, I forgot the yellow flag again.

  • 22:25 Lap 203

    Yellow flag16th caution.

  • 22:25 Lap 203

    QuoteComment from Pat W: A black flag just means a drive-through penalty not a DQ like in F1.

  • 22:26 Lap 203

    Newman was also involved, spinning off.

  • 22:27 Lap 204

    Regan shown punching the steering wheel in frustration, but he takes his drive through.

  • 22:27 Lap 205

    Bayne is leading now.

  • 22:28 Lap 205

    Pit reporter says Bayne is being told to save fuel as he may not have enough to get to the chequered flag. That depends how long it takes to get to the flippin' flag!

  • 22:28 Lap 206

    Green flagTrack is clear.

  • 22:29 Lap 206

    Current top five: Bayne, Stewart, Labonte, Martin, Kurt Busch.

  • 22:29 Lap 207

    White flag goes here.

  • 22:30 Lap 208

    Chequered flagTrevor Bayne wins the Daytona 500!!

  • 22:31 Lap 208

    Debut race, birthday yesterday, 20 years old. They're saying it's a fairy tale.

  • 22:32

    Bayne does some showing off for the crowds. Victory celebrations are the sweetest.

  • 22:32

    QuoteComment from Steven Roy: Great move by Bayne. Slid off Labonte's nose and parked in front of the guy who was passing him. That was really clever racing

  • 22:32

    I was about to say that.

  • 22:33

    Bayne is out of the car and celebrating with his team. Then back in the car.

  • 22:34

    Winning celebrationsWinning celebrations.

  • 22:34

    Top three: Bayne, Edwards, Gililand.

  • 22:35

    We ended up with 208 laps.

  • 22:38

    Well, it took five hours of Factbyte Factboxing, but we got a fantastic last few laps. Great work by Bayne, hopefully he'll get a chance to show what he can do in the future as well.

  • 22:38

    Thanks for joining me today, I'll see you soon for some more FBFBing. Hopefully not five hours worth!




NASCAR's blue riband race, the 500 mile race at Daytona Beach, Florida gets underway this evening. 200 laps of nose-to-tail racing and as the biggest names American motor sport run nose to tail at almost 200mph.
Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

Event start

18:30GMT +00:00

20 February 2011