Marlin Escapes Accidents, Finishes 17th At Daytona

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Sterling Marlin narrowly escaped several multi-car accidents in Sunday’s Daytona 500 and was headed for a top-10 finish before being collected in a last-lap incident and wrecking across the finish line in 17th place.

Due to the complicated qualifying format for NASCAR’s biggest race, Marlin started the 202-lap event at Daytona International Speedway from the 40th position, forcing him to drive through many accidents to get to the front.

“We had a heck of a day,” said the two time Daytona 500 champion. “I have to give a lot of credit to my spotter (T.J. Majors) because he did an incredible job saving me from every single accident-- and there were some big ones.”

The race, which ended in overtime with a green-white-checkered restart, saw six cautions for 26 laps with only 27 cars ending on the lead lap. The final caution, on lap 202, is ultimately what cost Marlin a top-10 finish.

“We narrowly escaped a lot of pileups today, including the last one,” offered the veteran driver. “I was running 10th and looking down the frontstretch at the checkered flag, thinking I was clear of the wreck, when the 25 car (Casey Mears) hit the wall and shot back down the track into us.”

Marlin added, “There was nothing we could do. I just took my foot off the brake and slid across the finish line.”

Marlin’s yellow and green Chevy came to a stop in the infield grass where Marlin climbed out and walked to the garage.

“It’s disappointing because we had a top-10 car and were so close to a top-10 finish,” said Marlin. “Slugger (crew chief Slugger Labbe) did a great job calling the race, we had some speedy pit stops, and again, the spotter did an awesome job. For such a wild race, I guess I’ll take a top-20 finish and hope to better it next week in California.”

Regarding his Ginn Racing teammate Mark Martin finishing a close second to winner Kevin Harvick, Marlin said, “It was disappointing not to see Mark win the race. I was pulling for him. He had a great car and if anyone deserved to win this race, it was Mark.”


 
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