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Auto Racing: Datona 500 Won by Ward Burton VOA Sports 18 Feb 2002 02:29 UTC 
Ward Burton has driven his Dodge to a surprise victory in a crash-filled Daytona 500 stock car race in Florida.
Burton took the lead when the race was stopped for a red flag three laps before the end of Sunday's race. Two-time champion Sterling Marlin had been leading the race but was sent to the back of the field for attempting a repair to his car during the stoppage. Under NASCAR rules, no repairs can be made during the red flag.
Elliot Sadler finished second, while 1986 winner Geoff Bodine took third place. Both men were driving Fords.
Marlin had spun out as a pack of cars crashed behind him. NASCAR stopped the race at that point to give the remaining leaders a chance to race for the win. During the stoppage, Marlin got out of his car to check for damage. As he tried to pull a piece of sheet metal away from his tire, an official told him to get back into his car.
That effort to repair the damage was enough for NASCAR to penalize him.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
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