This browser does not support the Video element.
One-on-one with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
FOX 35's Ryan Elijah talks with Michael McDowell about his spectacular Daytona 500 win following a rain delay and a last-lap wreck.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Michael McDowell stormed through a crash scene to win the Daytona 500, snapping an 0-for-357 streak with a fiery pileup in his rearview mirror.
McDowell led just the final lap — maybe half of it, really — when Brad Keselowski turned teammate Joey Logano as the Team Penske drivers jockeyed for the victory.
McDowell stayed flat in the gas and plowed past the two spinning cars to the lead, then won a three-wide drag race until NASCAR threw a race-ending caution.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 14: Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Se …
RELATED: Michael McDowell wins rain-delayed Daytona 500 after last-lap wreck
It was mayhem behind McDowell as a huge pack of cars could not avoid Keselowski and Logano. The collisions were one on top of another, flames erupting all over Daytona International Speedway as the race came to a close early Monday morning, nearly nine hours after it began.
McDowell, a 36-year-old journeyman from Arizona, was a 100-1 underdog at the start of the race and seemed in disbelief after taking his first checkered flag.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 14: Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Dayton …
"So many years just grinding it out hoping for an opportunity like this," McDowell said. "We’re the Daytona 500 champions. I cannot believe this. Luckily was able to make it through."
RELATED: PHOTOS: The 63rd annual Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 champ spoke to FOX 35 on Monday morning.
Congratulations! What a night it has been for you. I'm sure a very short night so thanks for joining us.
This browser does not support the Video element.
How has your night been? | One on One with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell speaks to FOX 35 about the night he has had since winning the Great American Race.
To have your first win be the Daytona 500, that is tough to script. When will that sink in?
This browser does not support the Video element.
Has the win sunk in? | One on One with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell speaks to FOX 35 about his Daytona 500 win.
It was a wild day and a wild final lap ending with your big move. What were you thinking when you saw this play out?
This browser does not support the Video element.
What were you thinking as the final lap came to a close? | One on One with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell speaks to FOX 35 about the final lap of the Daytona 500.
How tough was it to wait through that six hours? Has your cell phone stopped buzzing since going through that finish line?
This browser does not support the Video element.
Has your cell phone stopped ringing since the win? | One on One with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell speaks to FOX 35 about the hours after his win.
Congratulations!
This browser does not support the Video element.
McDowell shows off his ring | One on One with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell says goodbye while showing off his championship ring.
Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest Central Florida news.
This browser does not support the Video element.