Trevor Bayne: The Young Daytona 500 Champion Is a Shot in the Arm to NASCAR

Trevor Bayne turned 20 years old on Saturday. On Sunday, he competed in his first Daytona 500.

He won it, making him the youngest-ever winner of the race.

A Cinderella story like Bayne's will be beneficial for NASCAR. It can help them change their image and appeal more to a younger audience.

Here are the five reasons why Trevor Bayne's win will help NASCAR.

5. Win For The Historic Wood Brothers

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BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 15: (L-R) MIS President Roger Curtis unveils a permanent plaque celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Wood Brothers Racing in NASCAR as Leonard Wood, Eddie Wood and Len Wood watch prior to the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series C

The Wood Brothers have been around since 1950. The past few years have been rough on them. They haven't won a Cup since 2001.

To make things worse, they didn't even qualify for Daytona 500 in 2008.

Enter Trevor Bayne.

His win ended the Wood Brothers' drought. Nostalgic NASCAR fans will be able to appreciate the significance of this win.

4. Help Change The Image Of NASCAR

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florid

The stereotype of NASCAR is that it is a redneck sport. NASCAR really wants to change their image to appeal more to the masses.

The 20-year-old can help change that image.

After his win, he's already received hundreds of publicity requests. He has a full schedule the next few days on the press circuit.

This is an excellent opportunity for Bayne and NASCAR to promote the sport.

3. Help Attract More Youth to The Sport

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Ch

Since Trevor Bayne is only 20 years old, he may be able to help attract more young fans to participate in the sport.

Sports are always trying to appeal to young fans because it opens up new sources of revenue for generations to come.

Bayne's win could help make the sport cool again.

2. Historical Significance

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florid

At 20 years old, Trevor Bayne is the youngest winner ever of the Daytona 500. As such, people are more interested in this win than maybe any that another driver would have elicited.

Historical significance means a lot in regards to publicity generated. Derek Jeter breaking the New York Yankees all-time hits record turned regular season games into events because of the potential significance.

Bayne's win will be able to attract more publicity for that factor alone.

1. A Different Kind Of Athlete

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florid

People love solid, upstanding citizens as the athletes they look up to. After winning the Daytona 500, Trevor Bayne remained humble.

When asked how he was going to spend his winnings, Bayne mentioned putting it toward competing in more races and giving to Back2Back, a Christian organization that works with orphans in Mexico.

Bayne is the type of person that should be representing athletes and NASCAR.