When all was said and done, Matthew Kenseth brought home the gold at the conclusion of the NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500.
The 54th annual Daytona 500 was not without its drama. After several rain delays and even the first eve postponement, the race finally began 7 p.m. Monday night. Kenseth was able to fend off some of the biggest names in racing including Dale Earnheart Jr., Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon to earn his title and the $1,589,397 in prize money.
We had a really fast car and have fast cars in the past, and I figured out a way to mess it up, Kenseth said, reported the Associated Press. I am glad it all worked out.
Kenseth said he was unable to achieve the victory on his own. He thanked his crew and his teammates for helping him earn his second Daytona 500 title.
These guys did a great job. They never panicked and I think they enjoyed their day more because they couldn't hear me on the radio with my radio problems, said Kenseth according to KDVR. I have to thank this whole Best Buy team.
Besides the rain, the race was filled with drama. With crashes, fires and intense speeds at every turn, it was an exciting night for NASCAR. Check out some of the best photos from the Daytona 500 from start to finish.
Pit crew members walk in the garage area as rain continued to delay the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 27, 2012. ReutersDrivers take the green flag to start the rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012.ReutersDrivers roll to take the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012. ReutersJimmie Johnson (above) in his number 48 Chevrolet, David Ragan in his number 34 Ford (L) and Danica Patrick in her number 10 Chevrolet crash as Kurt Busch (below) in his number 51 Chevrolet tries to avoid them in the early running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012.ReutersTerry Labonte (R) in his number 32 Ford spins during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012. ReutersFlames erupt from a jet dryer after it was hit by Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia in his number 42 Chevrolet during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012. ReutersFlames erupt from a jet dryer after it was hit by Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia in his number 42 Chevrolet during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 54th Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012.ReutersMatt Kenseth celebrates atop of his number 17 Ford after he won in the rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 27, 2012. ReutersThe field comes down the front stretch during the rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 27, 2012.ReutersMatt Kenseth (C, holding bottle) celebrates with his team after winning the rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 27, 2012. ReutersMatt Kenseth celebrates with the Harley J. Earle trophy after winning the rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27, 2012. Reuters
