Matt Kenseth wins the Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Matt Kenseth won his second Daytona 500, holding off Dale Earnhardt in a race delayed once for rain and then after a frightening crash at the Daytona International Speedway.

Kenseth took the checkered flag after rain postponed the race for 30 hours - the first time in the event’s history it has been delayed from a Sunday to Monday.

Then with 40 laps to go Monday, Juan Pablo Montoya escaped serious injury when he lost control and slammed into the back of a truck carrying a jet dryer, causing a fiery explosion that delayed the race another two hours.

The jet dryer was carrying around 757 liters (200 gallons) of kerosene used to help dry the track’s surface, which streamed down the track and caught fire.

Montoya was able to get out of his car and walk away from the wreck on his own.

Earnhardt finished second, Greg Biffle third, Denny Hamlin fourth and Jeff Burton rounded out the top five. AFP