Daytona rains shower blessings on Kenseth

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Matt Kenseth won the rain-shortened Daytona 500, taking over the lead two laps before NASCAR stopped the season-opening event Sunday.

Coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, Kenseth’s bad luck followed him onto Daytona International Speedway. He wrecked his primary car, had to go to a backup and started the race in last place.

But as rain closed in on the season-opening event, the field turned it up a notch - anticipating the race would not go the distance. Kenseth used a huge push from Kevin Harvick to pass Elliott Sadler with 54 laps to go. Caution came out moments later for an accident started by Paul Menard, and the rain that had been threatening all day finally arrived.

NASCAR stopped the race two laps later, and the cars were called to pit road. (AP)