2002 Daytona 500

44th iteration of the Daytona 500 February 2025 NASWINSTON The Race: Daytona 500 http://jayski.thatsracin.com/next/2002/2002daytona500.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site https://web.archive.org/web/20020603223714/http://jayski.thatsracin.com/next/2002/2002daytona500.htm June 3, 2002 May 15, 2016 dead2002 Daytona 500 http://racing-reference.info/race/2002_Daytona_500/W Racing-Reference September 29, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20111018042005/http://racing-reference.info/race/2002_Daytona_500/W October 18, 2011 live 2002 2 17 2002 1 36 2002 Daytona 500 logo.png 2002 Daytona 500 logo Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida 2.5 4.02336 200 500 804.672 Temperatures reaching up to 70 F C; wind speeds approaching 12 mph km/hhttp://www.almanac.com/weather/history/FL/Daytona%20Beach/2002-02-17 Weather of the 2002 Daytona 500 The Old Farmers' Almanac 2013-06-19 130.810 mi/h Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports 48,431 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Sterling Marlin Chip Ganassi Racing 78 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing NBC Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Wally Dallenbach Jr. 10.9/26 (18.8 million viewers) The 2002 Daytona 500, the 44th running of the event, was held on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida as the first of 36 races of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Rookie Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, won the pole with fellow Daytona 500 rookie Kevin Harvick qualifying second, making this the first time the field would be led by two first-time Daytona 500 participants. Ward Burton, driving the No.22 Dodge for Bill Davis Racing, won the race. This race was the last for long-time veteran driver Dave Marcis. As part of the television contract signed at the end of the 1999 NASCAR season, the 2002 Daytona 500 was televised by NBC. Allen Bestwick provided the play-by-play in the booth with color commentators Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach Jr. The prerace show was hosted by Bill Weber, who reported from the pits with Matt Yocum, Marty Snider, and Dave Burns. This was the first time NBC televised the Daytona 500. Background left|thumb|Daytona International Speedway in 2015 The 2002 Daytona 500 was the first of 36 scheduled stock car races of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, and the 44th running of the event. It was held on February 17, 2002, in Daytona Beach, Florida, at Daytona International Speedway, one of six superspeedways to hold NASCAR races; the others are Michigan International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway, and Talladega Superspeedway.http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ NASCAR Race Tracks NASCAR https://web.archive.org/web/20130101145548/http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ January 1, 2013 December 20, 2011 Its standard track is a four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.0 km) superspeedway. Daytona's turns are banked at 31 degrees, and the front stretch—the location of the finish line—is banked at 18 degrees.http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=2346804 Daytona International Speedway June 27, 2011 ESPN dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120120202142/http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=2346804 January 20, 2012 June 25, 2015 The Daytona 500 was conceived by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who built the Daytona International Speedway.https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&q=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&pg=PA328 American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols and Ideas R. Nelson Murry 23 May 2013 ABC-CLIO 978-0-313-39753-0 Santa Barbara, California 328–330 June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150626131804/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&source=bl&ots=M78hv00TU7&sig=8aIprlCZ77goRvWR7jdykDitkyc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vg6LVcvcI6uv7Aaf2oKoDg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Bill%20France%20Sr.%20built%20Daytona%20International%20Speedway%20Daytona%20500&f=false June 26, 2015 live mdy-all The race was first held in 1959; it is the successor to shorter races held on beaches around Daytona Beach.https://www.ticketcity.com/daytona-500-tickets/daytona-500-history.html Daytona 500 History TicketCity https://web.archive.org/web/20120509221046/http://www.ticketcity.com/daytona-500-tickets/daytona-500-history.html May 9, 2012 June 24, 2015 It has been the opening round of the NASCAR season since 1982,http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/23/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-daytona-500-well-almost/ Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Daytona 500 (well, almost) Bonkowski Jerry February 23, 2014 NBC Sports https://web.archive.org/web/20140306125838/http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/23/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-daytona-500-well-almost/ March 6, 2014 June 24, 2015 and from 1988, it has been one of four events that require cars to run restrictor plates.http://www.jayski.com/stats/restrictor.htm Restrictor Plate History Chart Jayski Silly Season Site https://web.archive.org/web/20150505165343/http://www.jayski.com/stats/restrictor.htm May 5, 2015 June 24, 2015 The Daytona 500 is often regarded as NASCAR's most prestigious race because it offers the most prize money in American auto racing. Victory is considered equal to winning either the World Series, the Super Bowl or The Masters. The race is often called the "Great American Race" or the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing". In preparation for the race, NASCAR scheduled several test sessions on January 7–9 (for teams who finished in an odd-number position in the 2002 car owner points standings) and January 14–16, 2002 (for teams who finished in an even-number position in the 2002 car owner points standings).Kenny Bräck, the 1999 Indianapolis 500 winner, tested for Chip Ganassi Racing for the final three days of testing.Här tar Bräcks dröm full fart https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/5VGoEE/har-tar-bracks-drom-full-fart Aftonbladet sv January 16, 2002 September 29, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190929165419/http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/5VGoEE/har-tar-bracks-drom-full-fart September 29, 2019 livehttp://www.thatsracin.com/01/1021/1022testing.htm Pre-Daytona 500 testing to change Utter Jim October 21, 2001 The Charlotte Observer September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011115214056/http://www.thatsracin.com/01/1021/1022testing.htm November 15, 2001 Every test session began at 9 a.m. EST, stopped at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST, and concluded at 5:00 p.m. EST.http://jayski.thatsracin.com/stats/daytona2002testing1.htm 2002 Daytona Testing Jan 7-9th Jayski's Silly Season Site dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020111062920/http://jayski.thatsracin.com/stats/daytona2002testing1.htm January 11, 2002 September 29, 2019http://jayski.thatsracin.com/stats/daytona2002testing2.htm 2002 Daytona Testing Jan 14-17th Jayski's Silly Season Site dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020411145628/http://jayski.thatsracin.com/stats/daytona2002testing2.htm April 11, 2002 September 29, 2019 On January 7, Stacy Compton was fastest in the first session with a speed of 183.087 mph km/h on and a speed of 183.120 mph km/h on by Jimmie Johnson paced the second session.https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2002-01-08-daytona-testing.htm Chevy rules first day of Daytona testing Graves Gary January 7, 2002 USA Today September 29, 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20190929134821/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2002-01-08-daytona-testing.htm September 29, 2019 Johnson led the third and fourth sessions on January 8 with respective speeds of 183.109 mph km/h on and 183.816 mph km/h on.http://www.nascar.com/2002/NEWS/01/08/am_photo/index.html Johnson continues to set the pace Rodman Dave January 9, 2002 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020207123241/http://www.nascar.com/2002/NEWS/01/08/am_photo/index.html February 7, 2002 September 29, 2019 On January 9, Johnson and Ward Burton led sessions five and six, respectively, with speeds of 183.415 mph km/h on and 184.961 mph km/h on respectively.http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/02NASCAR/020109a.html Fords Draw Even in Draft Blake Ben January 9, 2002 Speedvision dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020112203038/http://speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/02NASCAR/020109a.html January 12, 2002 September 29, 2019 The January 14 test sessions were cancelled due to rain; NASCAR officials elongated testing to January 17.http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/2467744.htm Rain scuttles Monday's test session Utter Jim January 14, 2002 The Charlotte Observer September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020120003923/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/2467744.htm January 20, 2002 On January 15 and 16, Jerry Nadeau, Michael Waltrip and Jeremy Mayfield paced sessions seven, eight and nine with speeds of 182.905 mph km/h on, 183.102 mph km/h on and 183.221 mph km/h on respectively.http://www.news-jrnl.com:80/2002/Jan/16/CAR1.htm Nadeau leads field in second round of testing Kelly Godwin January 16, 2002 The Daytona Beach News-Journal September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020507202123/http://www.news-jrnl.com/2002/Jan/16/CAR1.htm May 7, 2002 The final sessions on January 17 were paced by Waltrip and Mike Wallace with respective speeds of 183.255 mph km/h on and 184.302 mph km/h on. Pre-race regulation changes For the race, NASCAR mandated a series of rules regarding the aerodynamics of the cars. Restrictor plates had to have an opening of 7/8 in mm on in every car, and their air dams were extended to 1.5 in mm on forward on the front bumpers. The rear spoilers on the Dodge, Pontiac and Ford vehicles were required to be 6.5 in mm on, 55 in mm on wide and angled at 55 degrees. All Chevrolet cars had their spoilers shortened by 1/4 in mm on.http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/2422661.htm New drivers post fast times in Daytona test Pedley Jim January 8, 2002 The Kansas City Star September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020223192341/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/2422661.htm February 23, 2002 After the Ford teams reported an aerodynamic deficiency to the remainder of the field during testing, NASCAR allowed them to lower the height of their spoilers by 1/4 in mm on to 6.25 in mm on and 57 in mm on wide.http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Jan/23/CARLOC1.htm Fords get a boost at DIS: Manufacturer to use 6 1/4-inch rear spoilers Kelly Godwin January 23, 2002 The Daytona Beach News-Journal September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020812062641/http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Jan/23/CARLOC1.htm August 12, 2002 This change created further complications for Ford when the manufacturer had to raise the rear deck lid on its vehicle by 1/2 in mm on to 3/4 in mm on in order to comply with the minimum height for its rear spoiler.http://www.nascar.com/2002/NEWS/01/27/ford_spoiler/index.html Fords find rule change creates template troubles Smith Marty January 27, 2002 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020129124740/http://www.nascar.com/2002/NEWS/01/27/ford_spoiler/index.html January 29, 2002 September 29, 2019 Later, NASCAR installed an additional template on each of the four types of vehicle in an attempt to ensure the spoiler is positioned correctly.http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=12141 Daytona Notebook: Templates Added Montgomery Lee February 7, 2002 RacingOne dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020415133151/http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=12141 April 15, 2002 September 29, 2019 In other changes, NASCAR permitted teams to switch engines between the qualifying session and the race in an exception to its cost-cutting regulation mandating each team to use one engine per race weekend because of the Daytona 500 race format having two qualifying races to determine the majority of its starting order. Practice and qualifying 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series#Gatorade Twin 125s Eight practice sessions were scheduled before the Sunday race. The first two were held on February 8 and lasted 120 and 110 minutes each. The next two on February 11 and 12 were shortened to 105 minutes. On February 13, two 45 minute practice sessions were scheduled. A session lasting 60 minutes was held the following day. The final practice session, scheduled for February 16, was cancelled because of rain. In the first practice session, Johnson was fastest with a lap of 48.639 seconds, ahead of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jerry Nadeau in second and third. Ricky Rudd, Ward Burton, Dale Jarrett, Robert Pressley, Mike Wallace, Bill Elliott, and Kevin Harvick made up positions four to ten.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice1_speeds.html Practice 1 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020212044313/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice1_speeds.html February 12, 2002 September 30, 2019 Johnson led the second practice session later that day with a 48.685 seconds time. Rudd, Gordon, Ward Burton, Nadeau, Terry Labonte, Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Johnny Benson Jr. and Waltrip rounded out the top ten drivers.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice2_speeds.html Practice 2 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020212043320/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice2_speeds.html February 12, 2002 September 30, 2019 54 cars entered first-round qualifying on February 9;http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/2632477.htm Saturday's Winston Cup qualifying order February 8, 2002 The Charlotte Observer September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020606075810/http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/2632477.htm June 6, 2002 due to NASCAR's qualifying procedure only 43 could race. Unlike most races during the season, the qualifying session determined the first two position, while the rest of the field qualified by the 2002 Gatorade 125s. Each driver was limited to two timed laps, with the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest times.How qualifying works for the 500 http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Feb/14/500QUAL.htm The Daytona Beach News-Journal February 14, 2002 May 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20020601201435/http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Feb/14/500QUAL.htm June 1, 2002 Johnson was the fourth driver to venture onto the track;http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020902/spr_8579014.html Johnson wins Daytona 500 pole position Coble Don February 9, 2002 The Florida Times-Union September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020312013711/http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020902/spr_8579014.html March 12, 2002 he took the maiden pole position of his career, and his first in a NASCAR-sanctioned event since he debuted in the series at the 1998 Busch Series,https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A82766049/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=2b3330ac Johnson rocks, rolls to pole Chevrolets record 7 of top 10 qualifying times Long Dustin February 10, 2002 The Roanoke Times September 30, 2019 C1 Gale OneFile: News subscription with a time of 48.431 seconds.http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/02Nascar/020209a.html Rookie Johnson Wins Daytona 500 Pole Blake Ben February 9, 2002 Speedvision dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020212063629/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/02Nascar/020209a.html February 12, 2002 September 30, 2019 He became the third rookie driver in history to claim pole position for the Daytona 500 after Loy Allen Jr. in the 1994 event and Skinner in the 1997 race.http://www.sptimes.com/2002/02/10/Sports/First_500_test_easy_f.shtml First 500 test easy for pair Korth Joanne February 10, 2002 St. Petersburg Times September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030224080444/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/02/10/Sports/First_500_test_easy_f.shtml February 24, 2003 Johnson was joined on the grid's front row by Harvick who was sixteen-thousands of a second slower, after a driver error in the third and fourth turns on his second lap.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/17911 500 qualifying: Rookie takes pole February 10, 2002 Autosport September 30, 2019 This meant for the first time in history, the Daytona 500 featured two rookie drivers starting in the first two grid positions. After qualifying, Johnson said, "We've shown our hand during testing and practice. We didn't want to fool ourselves into thinking we had a magic three- or four-tenths hidden somewhere. We thought that some other guys had an ace in their back pockets, and we didn't expect Kevin Harvick to jump up there." After the qualifying session, NASCAR vice-president of communications Jim Hunter stated no regulation changes would be considered until after the qualifying races. Notwithstanding this statement, NASCAR announced from the third practice session onward, teams entering Ford cars would be permitted to lower the height of their spoiler by a further 1/4 in mm on to 6 in mm on tall in an attempt to decrease aerodynamic drag produced, and in response to the manufacturer getting two of its cars in the first 20 positions in qualifying, and its sub-par results in the 2002 Budweiser Shootout.http://www.orlandosentinal.com/sports/motorracing/orl-sptnnotes11021102feb11.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines-motorrace Speedweeks notebook; Fords get some help Hinton Ed February 11, 2002 Orlando Sentinel September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020414015453/http://www.orlandosentinal.com/sports/motorracing/orl-sptnnotes11021102feb11.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines-motorrace April 14, 2002http://www.theledger.com/sports/auto/11rule.htm NASCAR Lets Ford Reduce Spoilers Zier Patrick February 11, 2002 The Ledger September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020221063938/http://www.theledger.com/sports/auto/11rule.htm February 21, 2002 In the third practice session, Geoff Bodine went fastest with a lap of 47.776 seconds, ahead of Dave Blaney in second and Rudd third. Sterling Marlin was fourth-fastest, with Jeff Burton fifth and Dave Marcis sixth. Harvick, Greg Biffle, Ken Schrader, and Bobby Hamilton followed in the top ten.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice3_speeds.html Practice 3 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020214011935/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice3_speeds.html February 14, 2002 September 30, 2019 Second round qualifying was held during the afternoon on February 11 to allow drivers to improve their fastest times or set a lap in the event they were not able to in first round qualifying; the session's fastest driver, placing 27th-fastest was Kyle Petty, qualifying fastest of the four competitors who were in the session. Skinner, Norm Benning, and Kirk Shelmerdine were the three other drivers who competed in the session.https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/02/11/Qualifying-continues-for-Daytona-500/16651013475383/ Qualifying continues for Daytona 500 February 11, 2002 September 30, 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20190930083918/https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/02/11/Qualifying-continues-for-Daytona-500/16651013475383/ September 30, 2019 United Press International Mark Martin led the fourth practice session with a time of 47.933 seconds, with Johnson, Rusty Wallace, Benson, Jeff Burton, Jarrett, Elliott Sadler, John Andretti, Nadeau and Biffle in positions two to ten.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice4_speeds.html Practice 4 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020214130011/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice4_speeds.html February 14, 2002 September 30, 2019 With ten minutes of the session remaining,http://www1.roanoke.com/sports/racing/nascar/4815.html Jeff Burton's crash course continues in practice Long Dustin February 13, 2002 The Roanoke Times September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020808071008/http://www1.roanoke.com/sports/racing/nascar/4815.html August 8, 2002 Brett Bodine experienced understeer exiting the second corner, causing him to slow in a plethora of cars, and drift up the circuit. Hamilton, who was close by Bodine, made contact with the latter's left-rear quarter panel, turning Hamilton into Todd Bodine.http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/02/12/Burton/index.html Hamilton, T. Bodine must use backups for 125s Rodman Dave February 12, 2002 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020405033750/http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/02/12/Burton/index.html April 5, 2002 September 30, 2019 That caused a chain reaction accident involving Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Jimmy Spencer, and Rudd. Hamilton, Jeff Burton and Todd Bodine ventured to the infield medical center, and were released after precautionary check-ups. Hamilton and Todd Bodine switched to back-up cars for the Gatorade 125s.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A82792884/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=a58eaa3a Crash Day Afternoon at Daytona Long Gary February 12, 2002 September 30, 2019 Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service K5144 Gale General OneFile subscription Casey Atwood topped the fifth practice session with a 47.342 seconds lap. Elliott Sadler, Hermie Sadler, Marlin, Kenny Wallace, Shawna Robinson, Robby Gordon, Spencer, Mayfield, and Todd Bodine placed in second to tenth positions.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice5_speeds.html Practice 5 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020216004021/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice5_speeds.html February 16, 2002 September 30, 2019 A lap of 47.721 seconds gave Elliott the lead in the sixth session; Compton, Benson, Blaney, Andretti, Matt Kenseth, Hamilton, Brett Bodine, Waltrip and Sadler rounded out the session's top ten drivers.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice6_speeds.html Practice 6 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020601200822/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice6_speeds.html June 1, 2002 September 30, 2019 Gordon and Waltrip were the winners of the Gatorade 125s. The qualifying grid was finalized with Gordon third and Waltrip fourth. Earnhardt qualified fifth, ahead of Stewart, Schrader, Nadeau, Rudd, and Bobby Labonte.http://www.sunspot.net/sports/motorracing/bal-sp.daytona15feb15.story?coll=bal-sports-auto Gordon, Waltrip 1st home in Twins McKee Sandra February 15, 2002 The Baltimore Sun September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020223064519/http://www.sunspot.net/sports/motorracing/bal-sp.daytona15feb15.story?coll=bal-sports-auto February 23, 2002 By qualifying for the race, Marcis broke Richard Petty's all-time record of 32 Daytona 500 starts with his 33rd, as Robinson became the second woman to progress to the race, and the first since Janet Guthrie at the 1980 edition.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A82870219/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=b9a0379c Dave Marcis, Shawna Robinson secure spots Long Gary February 14, 2002 September 30, 2019 Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service K6106 Gale General OneFile subscription The eleven drivers who failed to qualify were Spencer, Hut Stricklin, Buckshot Jones, Biffle, Rick Mast, Bobby Gerhart, Hermie Sadler, Carl Long, Benning, Shelmerdine, and Dwayne Leik. In the final practice session, Harvick was fastest with a lap of 47.588 seconds; Sadler and Terry Labonte were second and third. Kurt Busch, Rudd, Andretti, Ricky Craven, Brett Bodine, Robby Gordon and Rusty Wallace followed in positions four to ten.http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice7_speeds.html Practice 7 Speeds: Daytona 500 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020220034911/http://www.nascar.com/races/wc/2002/1/data/practice7_speeds.html February 20, 2002 September 30, 2019 Craven's engine failed as he was drafting Jarrett, prompting the latter to steer right to avoid a collision, and causing a four-car accident involving Petty, Terry Labonte, Marcis, and Brett Bodine on the backstretch.http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/02/15/practice_wreck/index.html Winston Cup cars damaged in practice accident Rodman Dave February 15, 2002 NASCAR dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020220035418/http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/02/15/practice_wreck/index.html February 20, 2002 September 30, 2019 After the final practice session, and before the race, NASCAR allowed teams who entered Ford and Dodge cars to lower the rear spoilers by a further 1/4 in mm on so that it was 5.75 in mm on tall for Ford entries and 6.25 in mm on on the Dodge vehicles in the series' attempt to continue to seek to create parity within the field.http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/2683864.htm Move designed to give all car makes an even shot to win Fleischman Bill February 16, 2002 Philadelphia Daily News September 30, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020402130534/http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/2683864.htm April 2, 2002 Race summary The drama started almost immediately as one of the pre-race favourites, shootout winner Tony Stewart, blew an engine on just the third lap. The race's first caution flew as another favourite, Dale Earnhardt Jr., ran over debris and cut a front right tire in turn 1 on lap 23 while running in second-place. He then staged a furious charge back into top 10 with a new nose after the tire tore up the right-front fender. Dave Marcis' final Winston Cup start was brought to an end on lap 79 due to engine trouble, bringing out the second caution of the day. Just before halfway, Earnhardt Jr. got into more trouble when he this time lost a rear tire in turn 4, then ended up driving through the infield grass as he tried to get onto pit road as the flailing rubber had damaged a brake line. This brought out a third caution. On the following restart, Brett Bodine spun off of Kenny Wallace's bumper, and the yellow flag came back out for the fourth time. On lap 138, rookie Shawna Robinson and Mike Skinner tangled exiting turn 2, bringing out the fifth caution of the day. But the course of the race took a twist on lap 148 when contact between Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick triggered the "Big One". The pair were battling for second place, when Harvick attempted to block Gordon on the approach to turn 1, but it came too late and the 29 car first jinked left down onto the apron, before spinning back across the track and collecting a number of cars. A total of 18 cars were caught up in the wreck, the same number of cars collected in the 2001 Daytona 500's Big One. These included Matt Kenseth, Ricky Rudd, Joe Nemechek, Ken Schrader, Jeremy Mayfield, John Andretti, Bobby Hamilton, Jerry Nadeau and Earnhardt Jr. (his third incident of the race) amongst others. Polesitter Jimmie Johnson's chances of victory were dashed on lap 173 when he blew a tire exiting the tri-oval towards turn 1. His car bounced off Jeff Green, spun through the infield grass and slid back across the track in a similar manner to Harvick's, although luckily this time there were no cars behind him when the car rejoined the track. Although he kept the car off the wall, he was forced to pit for repairs and would eventually finish a lap down in 15th. The eighth caution of the day flew when Robby Gordon was spun coming off turn 2, setting up what appeared to be a 6-lap showdown to the finish, with defending cup champion and two-time 500 winner Jeff Gordon leading fellow two-time winner Sterling Marlin. As the field came down to the green, chaos ensued. A chain reaction began between the eighth and ninth positions after one driver missed a gear. Five cars were involved, including the defending Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, who spun towards the pits and nearly hit the pace car being driven by Jay Leno. Up front, Marlin got a run on Gordon exiting the tri-oval, and managed to get his nose underneath the 24 car. Gordon threw a late block and spun across the nose of the Dodge, in almost a carbon copy of the incident between him and Harvick. Despite smoke caused by a damaged front right fender, Marlin beat Ward Burton back to the caution flag and maintained the lead, while Gordon rejoined at the tail of the lead lap. Rather than have the race finish under caution, the officials stopped the field on the backstretch so the track could be cleared by course officials and the drivers could race to the finish.http://www.accessatlanta.com/coxnet/nascar/text/0218_burton.html Burton wins dash to finish in Daytona 500 Minter Rick February 18, 2002 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution September 29, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020322202838/http://www.accessatlanta.com/coxnet/nascar/text/0218_burton.html March 22, 2002 Cox News Service Concerned about damage on his right front fender, Marlin got out of his car and tried to pull the fender away from the tire while the cars were stopped, and was told to stop by pace car driver Buster Auton.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/17978 Report: Burton scoops 500 thriller February 17, 2002 Autosport September 29, 2019 NASCAR deemed Marlin to be in breach of the rule forbidding any repair work during a red flag. When the cars restarted and pulled away under yellow, NASCAR penalized Marlin by sending him to the rear of the field. Burton inherited the lead for the 3-lap shootout, followed by fellow Virginia native Elliott Sadler and 1986 race winner Geoff Bodine. These three would remain pretty much single file to the finish, while a further eleven cars set about a frantic scrap from fourth on back. 3-time 500 winner Dale Jarrett collided with Mark Martin upon taking the white flag and became yet another car to be sent spinning through the grass entering turn 1. Burton held off Sadler to claim the win, with Bodine finishing third just two years after a crash that nearly took his life in the Craftsman Truck Series' Daytona 250 at the same racetrack. Kurt Busch prevailed in the mad scrap for fourth, followed by Waltrip, Martin, top rookie Ryan Newman, the recovering cars of Marlin and Gordon, and Johnny Benson Jr. Burton's Daytona 500 win was the first for Dodge since Richard Petty's win in the 1974 race. This was Phoenix Racing's best finish until Brad Keselowski won the 2009 Aaron's 499 at Talladega. As of 2017, this has been the only Daytona 500 to feature more than one trio of brothers. All three Bodine brothers (Geoff, Brett, and Todd) had started the Daytona 500 together, as had all three Wallace brothers (Rusty, Mike, and Kenny), but never all three brothers from both families in the same year. Results Pos Grid Car No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps Led Status 1 19 22 Ward Burton Bill Davis Racing Dodge 200 5 Running 2 41 21 Elliott Sadler Wood Brothers Racing Ford 200 0 Running 3 35 09 Geoff Bodine (W) Phoenix Racing Ford 200 0 Running 4 15 97 Kurt Busch Roush Racing Ford 200 16 Running 5 4 15 Michael Waltrip (W) Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 200 20 Running 6 39 6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford 200 0 Running 7 23 12 Ryan Newman (R) Penske Racing Ford 200 0 Running 8 13 40 Sterling Marlin (W) Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 200 78 Running 9 3 24 Jeff Gordon (W) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 200 29 Running 10 38 10 Johnny Benson Jr. MBV Motorsports Pontiac 200 0 Running 11 29 9 Bill Elliott (W) Evernham Motorsports Dodge 200 0 Running 12 33 99 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 200 2 Running 13 12 31 Robby Gordon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 200 0 Running 14 21 88 Dale Jarrett (W) Robert Yates Racing Ford 200 0 Running 15 1 48 Jimmie Johnson (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 199 0 Flagged 16 27 11 Brett Bodine Brett Bodine Racing Ford 199 0 Flagged 17 43 32 Ricky Craven PPI Motorsports Ford 199 0 Flagged 18 37 2 Rusty Wallace Penske Racing Ford 198 0 Flagged 19 30 30 Jeff Green (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 197 0 Flagged 20 11 5 Terry Labonte Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 194 0 Accident 21 17 33 Mike Wallace Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet 193 0 Flagged 22 31 92 Robert Pressley Melling Racing Dodge 190 0 Engine 23 20 4 Mike Skinner Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet 190 0 Flagged 24 36 49 Shawna Robinson (R) BAM Racing Dodge 187 0 Flagged 25 42 77 Dave Blaney Jasper Motorsports Ford 186 0 Flagged 26 7 36 Ken Schrader MBV Motorsports Pontiac 179 46 Flagged 27 24 14 Stacy Compton A.J. Foyt Racing Pontiac 178 0 Flagged 28 8 25 Jerry Nadeau Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 174 3 Accident 29 5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 171 0 Flagged 30 18 1 Kenny Wallace Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 171 0 Flagged 31 22 66 Todd Bodine Haas-Carter Motorsports Ford 158 0 Flagged 32 32 55 Bobby Hamilton Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet 156 0 Flagged 33 40 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 154 4 Accident 34 10 18 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac 153 3 Overheating 35 26 7 Casey Atwood Ultra-Evernham Motorsports Dodge 153 0 Accident 36 2 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 148 3 Accident 37 16 43 John Andretti Petty Enterprises Dodge 148 1 Accident 38 9 28 Ricky Rudd Robert Yates Racing Ford 148 0 Accident 39 28 19 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham Motorsports Dodge 148 0 Accident 40 25 26 Joe Nemechek Haas-Carter Motorsports Ford 148 0 Accident 41 34 45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 146 0 Engine 42 14 71 Dave Marcis Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet 79 0 Engine 43 6 20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac 2 0 EngineFailed to Qualify 41 Jimmy Spencer Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge 23 Hut Stricklin Bill Davis Racing Dodge 44 Buckshot Jones Petty Enterprises Dodge 16 Greg Biffle (R) Roush Racing Ford 90 Rick Mast Donlavey Racing Ford 59 Bobby Gerhart (R) Gerhart Racing Pontiac 02 Hermie Sadler (R) SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet 85 Carl Long (R) Mansion Motorsports Dodge 84 Norm Benning (R) Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet 80 Kirk Shelmerdine (R) Hover Motorsports Ford 72 Dwayne Leik (R) Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet Sources: Notes and references Notes References 30em External links Winston Cup Series 2002 2001 New Hampshire 300 2002 Subway 400 Daytona 500 Daytona 500 Daytona 500 Category:NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway