William Byron wins second straight Daytona 500 after Trump departs ...

After multiple rain delays that forced President Trump to leave the race before its conclusion, William Byron claimed his second straight Daytona 500 victory Sunday, surviving a string of late-race wrecks that knocked out a chunk of contenders and sent the Hendrick Motorsports driver into victory lane Sunday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Ninth in the No. 24 Chevrolet with one lap left, Byron became the first back-to-back winner since Denny Hamlin in 2019-20.

Bryon took advantage of another wreck on the final lap - NASCAR did not drop the caution and let the field race to the finish - and took another, familiar burnout in Daytona International Speedway.

The 27-year-old Byron held on to win after two weather delays totaling more than 3 1/2 hours.

Mr. Trump attended part of the race, calling it a unifying event with a spirit that will "fuel America's Golden Age."

In a presidential message released as he flew to Daytona Beach, Florida, Mr. Trump said the opening event of the NASCAR series brings together people from all walks of life in a "shared passion for speed, adrenaline and the thrill of the race."

"From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' soaring through the stands, the Daytona 500 is a timeless tribute to the speed, strength and unyielding spirit that make America great," Mr. Trump said. "That spirit is what will fuel America's Golden Age, and if we harness it, the future is truly ours."

The president said in his Jan. 20 inaugural address that "the golden age of America begins right now."

He thrilled thousands of NASCAR fans in the stands with an Air Force One flyover before landing next to Daytona International Speedway. Mr. Trump's presidential motorcade, with him riding in the limousine known as "The Beast," did a lap around the racetrack when he arrived, and then led the drivers in several ceremonial pace laps before the start of the race.

"This is your favorite president. I'm a big fan, I'm a really big fan of you people," he told the drivers over the radio. "How you do this, I don't know, but I just want you to be safe. You're talented people, and you're great people and great Americans. Have a good day, have a lot of fun and I'll see you later."

Air Force One took off from Palm Beach International Airport shortly after noon and the president traveled with several guests, including his son Eric, grandson Luke, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, the White House said. Several members of Congress also traveled with Mr. Trump.

"The Great American Race" was delayed Sunday for the sixth time in the last 14 years, a troubling trend for NASCAR. Heavy rain and wind up to 40 mph were forecast in the afternoon, and since the 2 1/2-mile speedway takes at least two hours to dry, drivers, crews and spectators braced for a long day.

Mr. Trump left the race during what he said was "a little rain delay, but we'll go home and watch it, I guess." By 5:25 p.m., after Mr. Trump landed back in West Palm Beach, NASCAR called for the drivers to return to their cars in an attempt to restart the event.

The president was at the race in 2020 while running for a second term and was given the honor of being grand marshal of NASCAR's biggest and most prestigious event of the year and delivered the command for drivers to start their engines.

Last weekend, the Republican made history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. Mr. Trump also attends college football games and UFC fights and is an avid golfer.

Asked what he enjoyed most about NASCAR, Mr. Trump said during a 2020 interview with Fox News that it was the bravery and courage of the drivers pursuing "pure American glory."

He described the Daytona 500 as a "legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits and the American skill, speed and power that we've been hearing about for so many years. The tens of thousands of patriots here today have come for the fast cars and the world-class motorsports. But NASCAR fans never forget that no matter who wins the race, what matters most is God, family and country.''

At the White House in 2018, Mr. Trump honored NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and Furniture Row Racing.

Last May, as a former president and candidate for reelection, Mr. Trump attended the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the swing state of North Carolina.

One NASCAR driver said having a president on hand Sunday for "one of our biggest days of the year is special."

"It certainly brings a lot of eyes and a different perspective to what we do down here for this race," said Chase Elliott.

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