Waltrip Wins Daytona Truck Race, But With Controversy

As SBNation.com editor Jeff Gluck stated, a common theme for Michael Waltrip when winning races is that something derails the victory.

Ten years ago, February 18th, 2001, Michael Waltrip won the biggest race in NASCAR, the Daytona 500, breaking an enormous winless streak driving for his friend, Dale Earnhardt. In just a matter of minutes, it went from being the best day of his life, to the worst. The world had lost Dale Earnhardt.

Ten years later, to the exact day, Michael Waltrip got behind the wheel of a Camping World Truck Series vehicle, driving the number 15, the same number that Michael Waltrip won in on NASCAR's darkest day. He then took a similar approach to the race in 2001, where he would slowly increase his position throughout the event, until the final few laps, where he would take the win in a last lap pass. He would even have his brother, Darrell Waltrip in the booth calling the race, and cheering him to victory just like he had that day ten years ago. It all seemed well for Waltrip.

Just like Daytona in 2001, something would take that away from him. A spoiler.

After Waltrip crossed the finish line to take the win, the SPEED Channel commentators noticed that the spoiler on the number 15 truck had come down. The exact time the spoiler came down has not been officially determined. While only half of it had come down, it is still to be considered to have given Michael Waltrip an advantage in the final lap.

NASCAR made the right call with allowing Michael Waltrip the win. Yes, the spoiler obviously wouldn't pass post race inspection, but it had to have had to pass pre race inspection. It isn't like there was a button that dropped the spoiler at the end of the race. Michael Waltrip's wins was ruined when Dale Eanrhardt died, he deserves to win on the ten year anniversary of his boss' death.

I believe there will be a penalty, which is deserved, but the win needs to stand.

It's just too good of a story to ruin.