With a rain storm approaching and the possibility of the Daytona 500 being called early on account of rain, Dale Earnhardt Jr. did the unthinkable on Sunday by putting his own interests aside and causing “the big one” 30 laps early.

“Can you imagine a Daytona 500 without the big one? Neither could Dale,” said Hiram Dooshbeig, publicist for the #88 team.  “It very well could have happened if Dale Jr. wasn’t aware of the situation out on the track.  He was chugging along when it occurred to him that there was a very distinct possibility that this race could end without the big wreck.  I like to think that he did what all of us would do when faced with that situation.”

Trying to pass Brian Vickers, Earnhardt Jr. was forced below the yellow line, a move that would have resulted in a penalty had he continued on to advance his position.  Understanding the situation and realizing that time was short, Earnhardt Jr. nudged Vickers, sending him into traffic and setting off the biggest wreck of the race.

“Sure Dale Jr. made that Brian Vickers fan mad but the Daytona 500 without the big one is like telling Michael Waltrip he raced a good race without cracking up, it just can’t happen,” said Dooshbeig.  “What Dale Jr. did was a selfless act.  He caused the wreck but wasn’t gathered up in the aftermath along with everyone else.  Everybody left the track happy.”

A rain soaked Mike Helton was grateful to Earnhardt Jr. for taking matters into his own hands to make sure that NASCAR fans got the race they deserved.

“I was perfectly happy to end the race without the big one because I had already set my mind to ruining the race for everybody anyway,” explained Helton’s mustache.  “But Jr. is a showman and that’s why the fans love him.  Dale Jr. saves the day again!”