5:30 p.m.

Justin Haley has won the rain-shortened Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, his first at NASCAR’s top level.

Haley took the lead under warning – Kurt Busch surrendered the top spot when he pitted for new tires and was declared the winner following heavy rain followed two lightning delays. You will find 33 laps remaining when the 160-lap race was halted.

Haley was 27th when leader Austin Dillon triggered a 17-car crash which took out almost half the area and the majority of the best contenders. He passed a number of wrecked automobiles and then several more that left pit stops.

The 20-year-old Haley will not lock in a place in the playoffs, however. He’s a fulltime driver at the second-tier Xfinity Series and was making his third Cup Series start – for newcomer Spire Motorsports. The group’s No. 77 Chevrolet could secure a postseason bid, but only if it ends up in the top 30 in points.

However, it was a fitting ending for the final July race at NASCAR’s most famous track.

The event, which was postponed a day because of rain, was plagued by inclement weather and full of unpredictable winners in the past couple of years. It is moving to late August in 2020 – the regular-season finale – included in NASCAR’s major schedule shake-up.

William Byron finished second, followed by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Ty Dillon. Manufacturer Chevrolet won for the second consecutive week and took the top four places.

Ryan Newman was fifth in a Ford.

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4:30 p.m.

Drivers Bubba Wallace and Daniel Hemric entertained lovers during two lightning flaws by throwing a football across the trail and in the stands.

Wallace and Hemric each had a couple of throws and got booed a little.

However, it certainly gave fans a reason to stay around for at least an hour with no racing.

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3:18 p.m.

Lighting has halted the NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway with Justin Haley at the lead.

The 20-year-old Haley is a part time driver for newcomer Spire Motorsports. He finished second in Friday night’s second-tier Xfinity Series race while forcing for Kaulig Racing. That is his third Cup Series start.

Kurt Busch was leading the 400-mile race after a 17-car wreck. But Busch ducked onto pit road for fuel under warning. That left Haley front, and when the red flag was pulled due to a nearby lightning strike, it left Busch in 18th. As automobiles were parked and covered on pit road.

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3 p.m.

With dark clouds looming and the close of the race in sight, pioneer Austin Dillon wrecked nearly half the area at Daytona International Speedway.

“The Big One” occurred on Lap 119 in Turn 1 and involved 17 cars – many of these in the front of the area.

Clint Bowyer was pushing Dillon into front on the exterior and made a tough move left to try and pass the leader. Dillon turned left No. 3 Chevrolet, tagged Bowyer and then started spinning and carrying out competitors.

“I guess that he didn’t need me to pass him,” Bowyer said.

All four Joe Gibbs Racing automobiles – Deny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and defending race winner Erik Jones – were included. So were Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott.

“I was being aggressive and trying to maintain the guide,” Dillon said.” That is exactly what you get.”

Kurt Busch managed to get through the melee unscathed.

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