| Advertisement |
|
|
DAYTONA BEACH – Tony Stewart survived several major crashes to capture the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night.
Stewart took the checkered flag while a multiple-car pile-up was taking place behind him.
It was the second major wreck of the evening, the first occurred when Denny Hamlin lost control of the No. 11 Toyota in Turn 1 causing a multiple car wreck on Lap 153 and bringing out the fifth caution of the night.
Jeff Burton was second with Matt Kenseth finishing third.
Stewart originally qualified second but his time was disallowed after his No. 14 Chevy failed a post-qualifying inspection when NASCAR found an open cooling hose in his cockpit. He was pushed to the rear of the field.
The third caution of the night occurred on Lap 124 when Jimmie Johnson spun out his No. 48 Lowe's Chevy in Turn 4. The wreck involved seven cars including Bill Elliott's No. 50 Chevy, knocking both drivers out of the race.
During the wreck, race leaders Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle headed to pit row but the pits were closed. Kenseth continued on without stopping but his Roush Fenway Racing teammate stopped. NASCAR accessed a penalty on Biffle, forcing the No. 16 Ford to the back of the field on the restart.
After the caution, Tony Stewart took the lead on the restart.
Brad Keselowski brought out the fourth caution of the evening when he got loose and spun out in Turn 2 on Lap 142.
300 MILES
Matt Kenseth led after 300 miles.
Kenseth dominated much of the race so far leading 78 of the 120 laps.
His Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle was second at that point.
Sam Hornish Jr. was the first caution of the night after his tire on the No. 22 car blew apart. Hornish Jr. was a last-second replacement driver for AJ Allmendinger, who was suspended earlier in the day by NASCAR after he failed a random drug test.
During the caution, Jeff Gordon clipped Ryan Newman in the pits sending his teammate spinning into Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Dodge in the stall. Both cars appeared to be OK but caused some early concern.
The second caution of the night occurred on Lap 91 when Kurt Busch tried to squeeze his No. 51 Chevy into the middle of the pack in Turns 3 and 4. Busch's car spun out and tapped the No. 21 of Trevor Bayne.
The wreck sent Busch to the garages for the evening.
Gordon was third followed by Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch to round out the top five.
200 MILES
Greg Biffle led after 200 miles.
Biffle led 34 of the 80 laps with pole-sitter Matt Kenseth dominated the start of the race before the first green-flag pit stop on Lap 40.
There were only four lead changes during the first half of the 400 mile race leaving fans wondering when something major was set to happen.
Josh Wise and the No. 26 Ford took over the lead after the pit stop but that advantage disappeared when Martin Truex Jr. took the top spot. His lead was short-lived as Biffle maneuvered his No. 16 Ford to the front of the pack followed by Kenseth.
Kasey Kahne was third followed by Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to finish out the top 5.
100 MILES
Matt Kenseth led after 100 miles.
Kenseth started from the pole for tonight's race and led all 40 laps so far.
The Roush Fenway Racing star was looking to become the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1982 to win both NASCAR races in the same season. The 40-year-old Kenseth won the Daytona 500 earlier this year.
It was the first pole of the season for Kenseth, who started the race as the Sprint Cup points leaders.
Greg Biffle, who started fourth, trailed Kenseth in second place.
Bill Elliott and the No. 50 Chevy was in third place followed by Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman to round out the top five.
Newman's teammate, Tony Stewart, originally qualified second but his time was disallowed after his No. 14 Chevy failed a post-qualifying inspection when NASCAR found an open cooling hose in his cockpit. He was pushed to the rear of the field for Saturday's race.
mmurschel@tribune.com