Two men did donuts at Daytona International Speedway on Friday after the conclusion of the Subway Firecracker 250, but only one man won.
Initially, that looked to be Justin Haley, who pulled away from Kyle Larson and Elliott Sadler in the final quarter-mile. Upon further review, Haley was not the winner.
The 19-year-old Camping World Truck Series regular passed Larson and Sadler, but did so illegally as he crossed the double yellow line in the final few feet. Haley was penalized and Larson was handed the victory.
A tough call, but @Justin_Haley_ went below the yellow line to pass, handing the win to @KyleLarsonRacin. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YvIUl3Bhy0
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 7, 2018
Haley was elated to "win," and Xfinity even gave him the victory for a moment, so the young man started to do donuts.
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Then he realized his misfortune when Larson took off on some spinning of his own to celebrate his official victory.
WHAT IS GOING ON? pic.twitter.com/EJZbEbl2Iz
— Dylan Whitlock (@dylan27w) July 7, 2018
"I didn’t even think I'd won until I got to the lug nut check, and they had a big screen down there,” Larson said, “and I saw a little bit of the replay and saw that he went and clipped the yellow line, so I asked about it, and they said NASCAR was talking about it, and about 10 seconds later we were declared the winner."
Haley, who was dropped to 18th, wasn't thrilled with the ruling after the race, but he showed humility in his postrace interview.
"Seeing the replay there, there was room for me to go up, so I don't know why they're calling me like that," he told NBCSN. "Not how we wanted it to end, but like I said, I'm running trucks full season and I'm extremely blessed to even get the opportunity."
"I'm extremely blessed to even get this opportunity."@Justin_Haley_ experienced an emotional roller coaster, after going from thinking he won to being penalized for going below the yellow line. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/OP5I8hBXCf
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 7, 2018
Wayne Auton, managing director of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, spoke to reporters about the incident:
Here's the explanation on the Justin Haley penalty from NASCAR's Wayne Auton. pic.twitter.com/JRsrSwjF1E
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) July 7, 2018
The ruling left people inside the sport divided. A sampling of postrace reactions on Twitter:
Bummed by this ruling. He earned the win. https://t.co/uyonkcAng4
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) July 7, 2018
Haley won that race in my book. He had the run and going two feet below the yellow line when he was already blowing by them wasn’t the difference. I get it’s a rule but I don’t agree with this call at all.
— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) July 7, 2018
I know it’s a tough situation but I’m glad that @NASCAR calls the rules how they are in the book. In any other sport no matter how good the story is the rules are the rules. Tough break for @Justin_Haley_ though, I feel for him
— Harrison Burton (@HBurtonRacing) July 7, 2018
Couldn’t agree more with @DaleJr heartbreaking for @Justin_Haley_ I do not agree with this call.
— Todd Bodine (@Team_Onion) July 7, 2018
Sorry I don't agree with NASCAR taking away win from @Justin_Haley_ I guess by the absolute black and white of the rule...but come on Haley had room enough and didn't use yellow line to make the pass.
— Mark Garrow (@GuruGarrow) July 7, 2018
I just want to be clear.
— Chris Knight ツ (@Knighter01) July 7, 2018
I applaud the move by @Justin_Haley_ -- it was brilliant, but IMO, #NASCAR got this call right.
Material from the NASCAR Wire Service was used in this report.
Subway Firecracker 250 race results
1. (7) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 105.
2. (5) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 105.
3. (6) Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 105.
4. (2) Ryan Blaney(i), Ford, 105.
5. (38) Kaz Grala #, Ford, 105.
6. (14) Shane Lee, Chevrolet, 105.
7. (36) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 105.
8. (4) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 105.
9. (9) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 105.
10. (16) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 105.
11. (17) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 105.
12. (10) Brandon Jones, Toyota, 105.
13. (12) Ryan Truex, Chevrolet, 105.
14. (35) Chad Finchum #, Toyota, 105.
15. (21) Alex Labbe #, Chevrolet, 105.
16. (25) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 105.
17. (30) Spencer Boyd #, Chevrolet, 105.
18. (40) Justin Haley(i), Chevrolet, 105.
19. (29) Vinnie Miller #, Chevrolet, 104.
20. (13) Matt Tifft, Chevrolet, 103.
21. (37) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, 102.
22. (39) Ray Black II, Toyota, 102.
23. (31) Jeff Green, Chevrolet, Accident, 98.
24. (28) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, Accident, 97.
25. (3) Cole Custer, Ford, Accident, 97.
26. (15) Ryan Reed, Ford, Accident, 97.
27. (18) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, Accident, 97.
28. (22) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, Accident, 94.
29. (11) Chase Elliott(i), Chevrolet, Engine, 90.
30. (34) Brandon Hightower, Toyota, Accident, 87.
31. (8) Tyler Reddick #, Chevrolet, Accident, 82.
32. (20) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, Accident, 82.
33. (23) Austin Cindric #, Ford, Accident, 81.
34. (19) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, Accident, 81.
35. (27) David Starr, Chevrolet, Accident, 81.
36. (32) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, Accident, 81.
37. (26) Blake Jones, Toyota, Accident, 75.
38. (24) Caesar Bacarella, Chevrolet, Accident, 70.
39. (1) Ryan Preece, Toyota, Overheating, 51.
40. (33) Josh Bilicki #, Toyota, Engine, 33.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 129.541 mph.
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 01 Mins, 35 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.005 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 6 for 29 laps.
Lead Changes: 11 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: 0; C. Custer 1-8; K. Larson(i) 9-32; R. Blaney(i) 33-57; K. Larson(i) 58-63; J. Haley(i) 64; R. Blaney(i) 65-77; E. Sadler 78-80; R. Blaney(i) 81; E. Sadler 82-95; K. Larson(i) 96-104; J. Haley(i) 105;.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): R. Blaney(i) 3 times for 39 laps; K. Larson(i) 3 times for 39 laps; E. Sadler 2 times for 17 laps; C. Custer 1 time for 8 laps; J. Haley(i) 2 times for 2 laps.
Stage 1 Top Ten: 42,23,1,7,22,2,60,00,21,11
Stage 2 Top Ten: 42,23,60,22,9,7,24,2,1,21
(i) Ineligible for Xfinity Series points
# Rookie