Matt Kenseth (C) celebrates with his team after winning the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida February 15, 2009.

Fresh from one of the worst seasons experienced in his professional career thus far, #17 Matt Kenseth kicked off the 2009 NASCAR season with a bang by claiming an incredible win at the Daytona 500 today. Demonstrating an impressive amount for foresight that ultimately served him well, Kenseth used a leg up from Kevin Harvick to edge Elliot Sadler out of first place with 54 laps to go. A few short laps later, the rain that had been threatening overheard all day finally broke from the clouds, forcing NASCAR to stop the race and bring the drivers into pit. After deciding the rain would not abate, NASCAR called the race and declared Matt Kenseth the official winner of the 2009 Daytona 500.

Marking the end of a 36-race losing streak, Kenseth had difficult holding back tears when interviewed by members of the press. “It’s going to be really wet if I cry like a baby,” said Kenseth. “I tell you what, after last year, winning a race means a lot to me.”

Source: NASCAR
Image Cred: Reuters Pictures