"And A Rookie Shall Lead Them"

Trevor Bayne Wins the Great American Race in Only His Second Cup Race

By Andrea Beaver

Trevor Bayne celebrated his 20th birthday on February 19th. Then on February 20th he won the Daytona 500 in only his 2nd EVER NASCAR Cup Series race. What a birthday present!

Bayne was hired by the Wood Brothers Racing to driver a limited schedule in the Cup series for 2011. Knowing he was young, but showed talent, my guess is that this historic NASCAR team thought that Bayne could be a new future for them. But I'm guessing that even the legendary Wood Brothers didn't expect this quick of a return on their investment!

All through Speed Weeks Trevor Bayne showed poise beyond his now 20 years. He sought out and took advice from some of NASCAR's most accomplished veterans. Jeff Gordon even sought out Bayne before the Duel qualifying races and Bayne pushed Gordon around the track like one of the accomplished veterans he was seeking knowledge from.

During the 500, like most of the field of 43 drivers, Trevor went back and forthe throught the field. But he kept his cool and never ended up in any of thes new pavement induced wrecks that plagued the entire race.

At the last restart, which put Bayne in first place, he held close to the double yellow line and blocked better than drivers twice his age. He showed car control and skills well beyond his 20 years and 1 day. That, along with Carl Edwards pushing him, gave Bayne and the Wood Brothers the win in the 53rd Daytona 500!

Seeing a performance like this from someone so young you can only imagine what the future holds for this young talent! I personally hope that some sponsors take note of this and give the Wood Brothers funding to give this new young talent the chance to run (at least) a few mor Cup races this season if not the entire season!

Congratulations Trevor Bayne!