Even with the whirlwind of events that have surrounded Trevor Bayne since taking the legendary Wood Brothers back to Gatorade Victory Lane in Sunday’s 53rd annual Daytona 500, it still did not seem real to him as he met with media and fans during the Champions Breakfast car induction at Daytona International Speedway Monday morning. After winning the richest and most prestigious race on the NASCAR circuit, Trevor Bayne celebrated with friends by playing basketball and riding skateboards in the infield. The celebration continued early this morning as they brought the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, covered in confetti, to the World Center of Racings indoor Gatorade Victory Lane where the car will be on display until it is returned to the team next February. Joining Bayne were team owners Eddie and Len Wood, and crew chief Donnie Wingo. Original co-owner Eddie and Lens dad Glen Wood, also attended the event. Thats one of the most special parts of it, Eddie said of having the family in victory lane after the win. With what our dad and Leonard (Wood, uncle) accomplished in the 70s, 80s, and the 60s, too we felt like we had dropped the ball. To get back to (victory lane) and have them back in victory lane and Richard Petty bringing dad in it feels good to get the family name back going. Even before the Champions Breakfast, Baynes day was in full swing. He entered the room giving a phone interview, autographing hats and being followed by a television camera. After the event he will start a media tour that will take him to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., then on to Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and finally Phoenix for this weeks race at Phoenix International Raceway. Every time I get done with one thing they hand me another phone and Im talking, Bayne said. I like to talk a lot, but after this week you might not hear anything except crickets. Though hes young and has only two starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Bayne understands the gravity of the win. The first realization I got is when I was talking to (the Wood Brothers), said Bayne. They said it was as cool as (David) Pearsons win and thats when it sinks in because I dont put myself on that kind of stage with those guys. I dont think of myself as doing the same thing that David Pearson did or AJ Foyt or Tiny Lund or (Cale Yarborough). When they made that comment, that this was one of their coolest 500 wins, thats when I thought, Wow, this is real. This is something that a lot of people strive for their whole career. This is one of the biggest races in motorsports and we were the ones in victory lane. During the celebration, Bayne also joined Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III to unveil the logo for the 2012 Daytona 500, scheduled for February 26, 2012.(Daytona Beach News Journal) AND: Bayne left Daytona Monday afternoon to appear on six different ESPN shows in Connecticut. He is scheduled to leave there Monday night and head to Chicago, where he will appear on two television morning shows and then a fan event at Harry Carays at Navy Pier and a lunch at Mortons the Steakhouse. Bayne will then fly to San Francisco, where he will participate in an ice cream social with fans in Ghiradelli Square. He will spend Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, where he will meet with fans at Auto Club Speedway and possibly do interviews with a late night talk show or two.(SceneDaily)(2-21-2011)
