Sports

Jimmy Johnson wins crash-marred Daytona 500; Danica first woman to lead a lap

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag in the Daytona 500, with pole winner Danica Patrick becoming the first female driver to lead a lap at Daytona Internaonal Speedway.

Super Bowl winning Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis honorary starter for Daytona 500

Ray Lewis to wave flag at Daytona 500 / Headline SurferDAYTONA BEACH -- All-Pro NFL linebacker Ray Lewis will wave the green flag as honorary starter of today's Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Last year's starter was WWE superstar John Cena.

Stetson University softball team wins twice Saturday at home in DeLand to go 4-0

Chelsea Walley of Stetson Hatters hits a homerun / Headline SurferPhoto by Jim Hogue for Stetson University / Headline Surfer /
Chelsea Whalley hit her third home run of the season on Saturday for the Stetson Hatters who go to 4-0 on the season.
 
By Jamie Bataille
for Headline Surfer

DELAND – A huge start, a clutch finish, and several solid innings inbetween proved to be a winning formula for the Stetson softball team Saturday as the Hatters defeated Florida A&M 11-0 and Bethune-Cookman 7-3 to sweep the Hatter Classic at Patricia Wilson Field.

John Wes Townley wins 50th annual Lucas Oil 200 Arca race at Daytona International Speedway

John Wes Townley / Wikipedia / Headline SurferDAYTONA BEACH -- John Wes Townley started on the pole and finished in Gatorade Victory Lane Saturday capturing the 50th annual Lucas Oil 200 presented by MAVTV American Real at Daytona International Speedway.

The race marked Townley's eighth start at the "World Center of Racing," and his first career pole and win in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. His previous best finish in the series also came at DIS when he finished third in 2010.

Actor James Franco named grand marshal for 55th running of the Daytona 500

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James FrancoCourtesy photo / James Franco, shown here at , is the grand marshal for the Daytona 500.  Last year's grand marshal was swimsuit model Kate Upton. The 2012 Daytona 500 was won by Matt Kenseth. The video highlights the first two laps.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Daytona 500 is going Hollywood. James Franco, star of the Disney adventure "Oz The Great and Powerful," which is scheduled for release on March 8, will serve as grand marshal for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

College basketball: DeLand's Stetson University falls to Florida Gulf Coast on the road in Fort Myers, 96-65

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By Dan Forcella
For Headline Surfer
 

FORT MYERS – The Stetson men’s basketball team (9-11, 6-3) fell behind early and lost to Florida Gulf Coast (14-8, 6-3) by a score of 96-65 on the road Friday night. Junior Chris Perez scored 21 points and senior Adam Pegg recorded his third double-double of the season to lead the Hatters in the defeat.

“They came out on a mission,” Stetson head coach Casey Alexander said of the Eagles. “We were prepared for it, but we didn’t respond to it, and that’s the disappointing thing. There are going to be runs in every game, and sometimes when it’s after the opening tip, it’s a real challenge to settle yourself down. We never did.”

FGCU opened the scoring with a three-pointer by Chase Fieler, and the Eagles were off to the races from there. Stetson fell behind by eight points, at 12-4, through three minutes, before making what ended up as its only true run to get into the game.

10. Undertaker's streak intact with Hell in a Cell beatdown of Triple H at Wrestlemania

This video clip showcases the Undertaker's epic Wrestlemania 28 beat down of Triple H.

The Undertaker / Headline SurferDAYTONA BEACH -- The Undertaker's epic win over Triple H at Wrestlemania to keep his winning streak intact for two full decades comes in at No. 10 in our countdown the top wrestling stories of the year from our vantage point here in Central Florida.

NSBHS Principal Jim Tager and Cudas put best foot forward on gridiron and with funding shortages

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- New Smyrna Beach High Principal Jim Tager is beaming with pride over the football team's undefeated regular season, despite the playoff loss to Winter Haven. Headline Surfer interviewed him after the game for "The Sunday Conversation."

The Sunday Conversation: NSBHS Principal Jim Tager talks about the Cudas' great football season

New Smyrna and Winter Haven square off in football playoffsHeadline Surfer Publisher Henry Frederick with NSBHS Principal Jim Tager.NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Jim Tager talks with Headline Surfer about the Cudas football team's undefeated regular season and the heart the players showed in their opening round loss in the playoffs to Winter Haven, as well as the controversy that surrounded the previous game with Spruce Creek and its marching band, in the 24/7 Internet newspaper's online newsmaker show, "The Sunday Conversation.