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Your Favorite Driver goes to inside, wins 1990 Daytona 500

DAYTONA, FLA, - Your Favorite Driver may have made the move of a lifetime when he fooled everyone and took the inside lane coming off turn four and edge Russ Wheeler at the line to win the 1990 Daytona 500.

Driver, who was driving the Mellow Yellow 51 previously driven by Rowdy Burns, was in his first race since being medically cleared after an accident at last year's pepsi 400 at Daytona.

Driver had coasted around the speedway toward the back of the pack for the majority of the race until clearing an accident on the back straight away.

"That really got my confidence up", said Driver. "After that, I knew I could get it done."

After making it through the smoke, Driver was able to downshift into third gear and somehow gain speed. That allowed him to pass cars as if they were standing still.

Russ Wheeler, who led the majority of the race, was told by his spotter "Driver is coming up fast"

Driver used Wheeler in the draft and had him pull him around the track until he made his move.

"I know Driver always goes to the outside. There was no way he was going low", said Wheeler. "Then as we came off four, he went high again, so I went to block and, the next thing I know, HE'S GOING LOW!"

"I told Harry (Haug) on the radio just before I made my move", said Driver "HARRY, THIS GUYS GOING DOWN!"

As Driver went low off four, Wheeler and Driver banged side panels and moved up the track. As they came to the line, Driver edged Wheeler by a foot.

Fans were still left puzzled at the finish. Most wondered why cars behind the leaders didn't just pass them. The bottom was wide open and the leaders had slowed considerably from the contact they were making.

Driver and the Mellow Yellow 51 will be back in action next week at Weeber Valley Speedway.

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