Trevor Bayne

Trevor Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500 at 20 years old, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Great American Race in just his second Cup start. The Knoxville, Tennessee native's victory in the iconic No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford was one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the sport, a Cinderella moment that captivated the entire racing world. That Daytona victory catapulted Bayne into the national spotlight and created expectations that would prove difficult to meet. Health issues, including a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2013, added challenges that went far beyond the racetrack and required courage of a different kind than racing demands. Bayne went on to compete full-time in the Cup Series, making 187 career starts with Roush Fenway Racing, where he showed flashes of the speed that had produced his Daytona miracle. His willingness to compete at the highest level while managing a chronic health condition earned the admiration of the entire garage. Trevor Bayne's Daytona 500 victory at age 20 is one of those moments that transcends statistics. It was pure, unscripted magic -- a young driver in a legendary car winning the biggest race in the sport -- and it will be told and retold as long as NASCAR races at Daytona.

Written by Richard R. Glover, NASCAR Reference