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“Old Testament Passage Helps Trevor Bayne With Instant Success And The Challenges That Followed”

2011 Daytona 500: Daytona International Speedway (February 20, 2011)

When Trevor Bayne crossed the finish line first at the 2011 Daytona 500, it was a historic occasion on multiple accounts.

Bayne’s age, 20 years and one day, provided the most significant note. His surprising victory made him the youngest Daytona 500 winner ever—surpassing previous record holder Jeff Gordon by five and a half years. Bayne was also the first driver (besides the first running in 1959) to win the Daytona 500 in his first attempt. And then there was his team owner’s (the legendary Wood Brothers) return to Victory Lane for the first time since 2001 and first Daytona 500 win since 1976.

All of those factors led to a whirlwind of activity for the Knoxville, Tennessee, native whose childhood idolization of Gordon came complete with posters, a #24 lunch pail and a #24 coloring box. Everyone wanted to know more about this relatively unknown and unproven driver.

At a hometown rally to celebrate the big win, fans had a variety of interesting questions including curiosity about Bayne’s favorite Bible verse. Instead of referencing one of the more popular passages that athletes tend to mention (i.e. Philippians 4:13, Colossians 3:23, etc.), he tendered an unexpected response from the Old Testament.

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” (Ecclesiastes 7:14)

“I was on Twitter right after I won the Daytona 500,” Bayne recalled. “Obviously I thanked God after the race and this one guy tweeted, ‘Yeah, it’s easy to thank God when things are good. What about when things are bad?”

Over the next few weeks, Bayne’s faith in Ecclesiastes 7:14 would be greatly tested. In fact, his fortune changed a few days later during a practice session at Phoenix International Raceway. A wreck forced Bayne into a backup car and he finished 40th after exiting just 49 laps into the race.

Bayne remembered that skeptical racing fan and saw an opportunity.

“Well, He’s still the same,” Bayne posted.”

“I don’t know if that guy saw it or not, but you’ve got to be consistent.” Bayne later explained.

And then, less than two months after his glorious Daytona 500 moment, the budding star had the scare of his life. While preparing for a race at Texas Motor Speedway, he visited the infield care center to have physicians take a look at swelling, rash, and bumps on his left arm. Bayne finished 17th that weekend then checked into a Charlotte hospital the following day when the swelling continued and numbness followed.

On April 25, he woke up with blurred vision, nausea, and fatigue. Bayne was then sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he stayed for 10 days. Although his symptoms eventually subsided, he spent another five weeks sidelined from competition. Initially thought to be the result of an insect bite, Bayne’s condition was later modified and attributed to Lyme disease. That diagnosis also turned out to be false. In November of 2013, he announced that he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Diet and nutrition has helped him remain competitive in a highly demanding sport, but now several years after the harrowing experience, Bayne has a better understanding of what he believes is the purpose behind it all and how his belief in Ecclesiastes 7:14 helped him make it through the most difficult moments.

“That’s probably why I’ve experienced such highs and lows,” he said. “What are we made of? Are we just saying we trust Him because we’re winning? I think that’s how He used me…We’ve got to use this platform and that’s what drives me to be successful here. He’s provided this so let’s make the best of it.”