Motorsports Burton's great escape [Times photo: Bill Serne] Ward Burton misses multiple wrecks and benefits from a red flag to win the Daytona 500. How the race unfolded The 44th Daytona 500 started with two first-timers on the front row as rookie pole-sitter Jimmie Johnson and 2001 series Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick took the green flag. A fitting day for racing to move on DAYTONA BEACH -- There was hysteria and mayhem and theatrics, and eventually elation. Sterling Marlin broke the rules. Earnhardt Jr. keeps coming back for more DAYTONA BEACH -- There was a time when Dale Earnhardt Jr. would have thrown in the towel -- come into the pits after a blown tire or brush with the wall and not gone back out, figuring he didn't have a chance to win, so why try? Despite new rules, race is marred by inevitable wreck An 18-car crash on Lap 149 leaves no one hurt but undermines notion that race is safer. Year's experience begins to pay off for NBC's telecast Sunday marked the first live airing of the Daytona 500 in NBC history, but by now the network's NASCAR broadcasters are veterans -- and it showed. No quick fix allowed for Marlin The veteran tries repairs under a red flag. He takes his punishment in stride. The event is reason fans tune in, not ads As a fan of racing (not commercials and graphics), I wish television networks would show more actual racing and less ads, race school info, commentators, etc. Daytona photo gallery Video [Times photo: Jack Rowland] Click here to see a video of the start of the Daytona 500 taken from the photo tower on the starting line. You will need the free QuickTime Player from Apple to play the video.

Bucs
Mariucci contract may top Spurrier's
49ers coach reportedly seeking seven-year, $42-million deal to be Bucs coach and GM.

Golf
Tewell survives shaky finish
Late bogeys don't help the winner, but runner-up Hale Irwin can't make up enough ground.

Kite's chances sink as he finds water on par 5s
After pulling within a shot of the lead, he stuns himself with two poor approach shots.

New senior stars fail to shine
LUTZ -- They are the newest big names on the Senior PGA Tour, counted on to breathe some fresh life into the circuit.

Devil Rays/baseball
Reliever finding way back
The Rays and Rule V pick Kevin McGlinchy hope he's past the injury that derailed his career.

Cox not taking for granted that first base is his
ST. PETERSBURG -- The landscape in the Rays' clubhouse has been altered, but Steve Cox insists his view hasn't changed.

Ailing Williams treats ceremony to surprise visit
Legend gets standing ovation during brief appearance at induction for namesake museum and hall of fame.

College basketball
Tar Heels extend 'Noles skid to six
Struggling Adam Boone scores 28 as North Carolina snaps a five-game losing streak with a 95-85 victory.

Georgia solves home woes against Florida
ATHENS, Ga. -- Mary Beth Lycett scored 20 as No. 24 Georgia beat No. 14 Florida 73-62 Sunday to end a four-game home losing streak, the longest in 23 seasons under coach Andy Landers.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
It's time to get your gear prepared for the king mackerel attack certain to be heading our way in a few weeks. With the current weather, it won't be long before the spring run.

Sarasota's Fisher wins NOOD's Melges 24 class
Sarasota's Doug Fisher won the Melges 24 class at the National Offshore One-Design regatta on Tampa Bay, taking five of the seven races in the category.

Preps
Perennial power Jesuit is in unfamiliar territory
It's been a long time since the Tigers were out of the hunt for a state crown.