DAYTONA BEACH, FL (93.7 The Fan) – Justin Haley picked up his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
"It's absolutely a blessing, pretty incredible that I have so many people around me who have given me this opportunity," said Haley.
Haley took the lead with 33-laps to go and the race under caution when the majority of front-running cars went to pit road for service when NASCAR told teams there would be one lap-to-go before the race went back to green.
NASCAR put the race back under caution a half-lap later when lightning-struck within 7-miles of the track, followed by rain leaving NASCAR no choice but to red flag the race.
Two hours and 12-minutes later NASCAR called the race, giving Haley his first career victory in only his third career start.
Chip Ganassi Racing's Kurt Busch was leading during the final caution period but was one of the cars that elected to come to pit road when NASCAR said there was one-lap to go before the race resumed.
"It was a judgement call on their (NASCAR) part," said Kurt Busch. "I was on the wrong side of a lightning bolt there. We got a top 10 today and we'll go to Kentucky next week."
Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Jimmie Johnson finished second and third. Richard Childress Racing's Ty Dillon finished fourth and Roush Fenway Racing's Ryan Newman rounded out the Top 5.
The race was marred by an 18-car accident that was triggered when Clint Bowyer and Austin Dillon got together on the front stretch battling for the lead on lap 120. The "Big One" collected other frontrunning cars including polesitter Joey Logano, Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman along with all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and defending race winner Erik Jones.
Logano remained the championship points leader despite the early exit followed by Kyle Busch, who is 18-points back.
The next Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race is next Saturday at Kentucky Speedway.
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