COLLER TALK - DAYTONA 500

KENSETH WINS NASCAR's SUPER BOWL.

The Florida rains shortened Sunday's Daytona 500. However, the opening of the skies didn't stop Matt Kenseth and the number-17 Dewalt team from celebrating one of the biggest wins of his career. 

For the Wisconsin native, the realization of winning the Daytona 500 was too much to handle as his dream came true. After starting the race at the back of the field - he was one of seven cars forced to use back-up cars after wrecking earlier in the week - Kenseth was just one of a few top-5 unlikely finishers. 

For Matt Kenseth and his team, the rain gods rewarded the 17-car with a gracious gift. For the former champion, the win at Daytona was the perfect start to a 2009 Sprint Cup season. Following last season, Kenseth and his team are trying to rebound from one of the worst seasons in his series career. The win for Kenseth snapped a 36-race winless streak that dated back to the end of the 2007 season. 

Maybe next year NASCAR will institute headlights, rain tires, and windshield wipers for the 2010 Daytona 500 - so the race cane be finished. Considering they - NASCAR - immediately changed the rules after Kenseth's lackluster 2003 Championship campaign. Regardless, Matt Kenseth made a move when it was necessary, and was rewarded by the skies as heavy rains drenched the track, giving the victory to the number-17 Dewalt Ford Fusion. 

UNLIKELY SUSPECTS. 

The number-17 car wasn't the only shocker of the 2009 Daytona 500, as other unlikely drivers found their way into the top-5. The four other cars within the top five were composed of just two racing teams, two from Richard Childress Racing and two from Richard Petty Motorsports. Kevin Harvick (RCR), was last seasons Daytona 500 winner. He started in the race in the 38-hole and managed to finish second. For A.J. Allmendinger (RPM), the young star made his mark on the 2009 season, by showing just how good he is behind the wheel with a third place finish. Rounding out the unlikely top-5 finishers is Clint Bowyer (RCR) who finished fourth and in fifth was Elliott Sadler (RPM). 

JUNIOR'S TANTRUM. 

Dale Jr. struggled all week to park his race car in its pit stall. The inability to park his race care were the least of his worries on Sunday, as Junior battled an average race car. His frustrations finally erupted on the track as Junior - one lap down following a pit road penalty - dipped down to the double yellow lines in an attempt to pass Brian Vickers. Vickers went to block, and Junior clipped his rear sending him sideways at the front of the pack. In the carnage that ensued, was race leader Kyle Busch, who to that point had the most dominant car for 124 laps. Among the other strong competitors wrecked in the crash were Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Carl Edwards. Take a look for yourself... and listen to what Darrell Waltrip says about the crash.

However, following all the drama created by Junior's stupid driving, NO penalty was issued. Because Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver in the sport they yet again let it slide. It seems to happen all the time that NASCAR's biggest stars get off easy. If it were Tony Stewart or Kyle Busch behind the crash you know a penalty or fine would have been issued. Junior committed a flagrant foul and should have been punished. He was frustrated that his car was slow and that he couldn't park his car. So he wrecks everyone else and is aloud to finish the race. What NASCAR seems to be is telling everyone is: become a star on and off the track, and we will let you get away with anything you want.