The Dominator of Daytona: Jarrett wins 500

Mike Harris

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000 | 1:25 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Call him the Dominator of Daytona.

Defending Winston Cup champ Dale Jarrett won his third Daytona 500 in eight years, passing surprise contender Johnny Benson for the lead four laps from the end.

Jarrett cruised to the victory Sunday, driving the last two of 200 laps at Daytona International Speedway under caution after Jimmy Spencer crashed on lap 198.

Jarrett, who won just about everything there was to win in the last week at the track, came into the race as the favorite - and lived up to his billing.

"I would never have dreamed when I came into this sport that I could win this race three times," Jarrett said on Victory Lane, where he was greeted by a burst of confetti and hugs from his crew.

Jarrett, who now has 23 career victories, started at the pole and dominated in the early going. He appeared to have everything in hand even when he trailed Mark Martin midway through the race.

That's the way it was when debris on the 2 1/2 -mile oval brought out the third of six yellow flags and all the leaders pitted on lap 157.

Benson, driving a Pontiac, was one of five drivers who chose to change only two tires while everyone else changed four. That put Benson, the 1996 rookie of the year who has yet to win a Winston Cup race, out front and left Jarrett fifth.

Somehow Benson's Pontiac was able to stay out front as a pack of powerful Fords stayed close in his wake.

After former Daytona winner Derrike Cope hit the wall on lap 169, bringing out the fourth caution, Jarrett began to assert himself.

He was sixth on the restart on lap 176, but quickly moved up to fourth on lap 177. He followed Martin to third on lap 180 and took advantage when Martin's Ford slipped up the track in turn two on lap 187, moving right onto Benson's rear bumper.

Benson stayed in front until Spencer began a six-car wreck on lap 193, sending Michael Waltrip spinning in turn four. Waltrip was hit by Elliott Sadler and the race was slowed again.

When the green flag waved on lap 197, Jarrett wasted no time, feinting high in turn two and driving under Benson's car. He powered into the lead on the back straightaway. Benson quickly faded and wound up 12th.

Second-place Jeff Burton never had a chance to make a run on the leader as the final yellow waved moments later.

Jarrett was worried at the beginning of the race because of a fender-bender with defending Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon in the final practice Saturday. The car had sheet-metal damage to its front and rear, but Jarrett's crew chief, Todd Parrott, worked his magic.

"I knew when he told me he could fix it would we would be OK," Jarrett said.

Parrott said, "I have total faith in my abilities and those guys out here. We just fixed that thing."