Cover Description

[The following text appears on the cover. This is 1 of 3 covers.]

THE DAYTONA 500

THE L.A. STORY +

Murder, Magic and the Crazy Birth of Showtime

By JEFF PEARLMAN / P. 52

America Finds Its New Teen Idol: 18-Year-Old Mikaela Shiffrin

P. 30

DALE JR. Gets His Intimidator On

By LARS ANDERSON

P. 40

Mr. Nice Guy is still there, but Earnhardt found his nasty side in winning his second Daytona 500, a victory his girlfriend described as the most important of his career.

PHOTO

SI HAS REGIONAL COVER THIS WEEK: STEPHEN A. ARCE/CSM/LANDOV (DALE EARNHARDT JR.)

PHOTO

MANNY MILLAN/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (LAKERS)