Chapter 80: The Daytona 500
�Are you guys ready for the pre race ceremonies?� Jr asked.
�Yep,� Tony Jr answered.
�Ok,� Jr said.
So then the pre-race ceremonies started. Someone did the indication, 3 Doors Down did the national anthem, and the president said, �Gentlemen start your engines.�
Then they all started their engines. After everyone was ready to roll off they started their pace laps.
Back up in the booth DW, Larry Mac and Mike Joy were getting to �DW�s hot spot�
�DW how about you tell us about your hot spot?� Mike asked.
�Ok,� DW started. �My spot for this week is up on the spotters stand. The spotters help the drivers all around the track. There is spotters on each side of the track to help them. The spotters help when there is debris on the trace track or a crash. That is my hot spot for this week.�
�Good spot since the spotters are so important when there�s a big wreck cause the cars are so close together,� Larry commented.
�What about pit road?� Mike asked.
�Yes that�s also a big important spot cause they help the drivers get in and out of their pit,� DW answered.
�Ok,� Mike said. �Lets go down to Ashley.�
�The DEI team has dominated Speedweeks and yesterday�s race was won by Jr,� Ashley started. �I talked to Jr.�s crew chief and he said that its all about teamwork on the track and in the pits. Lets go to Matt.�
�Michael Waltrip said that he could of won yesterday yet didn�t take the chance,� Matt explained. �Yet crew chief Slugger Labbe said that they may try to pull a pass on Jr with 5 laps to go if they are second. As we remember from team history that after the Pepsi 400 deal they agreed that with 5 laps to go its every man for himself unless both are left out to dry. Lets go to Marty!�
�Kevin Harvick has never won here,� Marty started. �He is looking for a win today. He�s got one of his best cars here. His crew chief said with 5 to go just go for the win. Lets go back upstairs to Mike.�
�Nice timing cause were about to go green,� Mike complemented them.
�Ok DW,� Larry said. �Its about time again. Tighten those seat belts one more time.
the cars came to the line and DW said, �Boogity Boogity Boogity lets go racing boys!�
After one lap was completed Jr was in the lead with Mikey 2nd, Kevin 3rd and Robby 4th. On lap 67 the big one happened.
�Big one behind ya man,� Jr.�s spotter Stevie Reeves called.
�Ok,� Jr said. �Did Mikey make it out ok?�
�Yes he did,� Stevie answered.
�Ok,� Jr said. �Who was involved?�
�Still figuring it out,� Stevie reported. �Let me just say that all 3 DEI car, Kevin and Robby made it through.�
�Ok,� Jr said.
�Kurt Busch involved�.ummm�.Ryan Newman, Joe Nemechek, Ward Burton, Jeff Burton, Terry Labonte, Brian Vickers, and ummm looks like Mark Martin but I am not sure yet.�
�That�s 8 cars so far,� Tony Jr counted.
�Ok,� Jr said.
�Your off by 2 cars,� Tony Eury told them. �There were 10 cars involved; they just said on the broadcast. Scott Riggs and Kyle Petty were the ones you missed.�
�10-4,� Stevie said.
�That�s a better average then last yr,� Tony Jr comments.
�Richie can you please tell us how far we can run and if pitting now will help us or hurt us?� Tony asked. �And please do it soon cause he�s just comin off turn 2.�
�Just pit here with the other leaders,� Richie answered. �Mikey is also going to pit here.�
�Then the answer is yes,� Tony told them. �Pit this time cause they said its open this time by.�
�10-4,� Jr said. So then Jr lead the field down pit road. They all did their pit stops and there was a big race off pit road. Kevin won the race out of pit road and then it was Jr, Mikey, Robby and Elliot.
�Hey Stevie how much damage did Terry get in the big one?� Tony Jr wondered.
�He got a lot of damage,� Stevie reported.
�10-4,� Tony Jr said.
Then they went back to green on lap 73. Kevin led Jr, Mikey, Robby and Elliot to a 5 car break-away. Jr passed Kevin for the lead. On lap 150 the caution was out. Rusty Wallace�s car blew up. Everyone was talking about it if they should pit or not and then they decided to pit. So they all pitted and again there was a big race off pit road. Mikey ended up 1st, Jr 2nd, Kevin 3rd, Dale Jarret 4th and Matt 5th.
�Todd where�s Robby?� Kevin asked.
�Robby had a long pit stop,� Todd answered. �He is 20th.�
�Alright,� Kevin said. �Lets hope he gets up there in time for the end of the race cause I wanna see if we can by these boys.�
�10-4,� Todd said.
So then they started up racing again. With 5 laps to go Jr went past Mikey for the lead. When Robby finally got up there and tried to push Kevin pass them both. When the white flag flew Kevin passes Mikey and Jr to take the lead.
�Jr remember what we did at the shootout?� Mikey asked. �Lets do it again yet get him to finish 3rd.
�Ok,� Jr answered.
So they did that and Mikey was leading with Jr 2nd, Kevin 3rd, Robby 4th, Elliot 5th, Matt 6th and Jarret 7th. And the checker flag waved and Mikey won the 500.
�Awesome,� Slugger comments. �Let the fox/Mikey streak continue!�
�Way to go guys,� Mikey complements them. �You guys did it.�
�Great job Mikey on that idea between you and Jr!� Slugger complements Mikey.
�No prob Slugger,� Mikey assured him. �See you in victory lane.� Mikey then did a slide through the grass.
Jr then called to Mikey, �Way to go Mikey! See you later. Party for you!�
�Ok,� Mikey said. �I�ll take that party any day.�
�Ok,� Jr said.
Then Mikey headed to victory lane.
