Category Archives: Daytona 500

NASCAR driver statistical advance for the Daytona 500

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Race #: 1 of 36
Track Size: 2.5 miles
Race Length: 500 miles (200 laps)
Banking/Corners: 31 degrees
Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees

Qualifying/Race Data
2012 pole winner: Carl Edwards (194.738 mph, 46.216 seconds)
2012 race winner: Matt Kenseth (140.256 mph, 2-27-12)
Qualifying record: Bill Elliott (210.364 mph, 42.783 secs. 2-9-87)
Race record: Buddy Baker (177.602 mph, 2-17-80)

Below is a statistical look at some of the top performers at Daytona International Speedway, including both the Daytona 500 and the annual July race.

Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota)
·         Two top fives, six top 10s
·         Average finish of 15.8

Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)
·         One win, nine top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 17.1

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet)
·         10 top fives, 12 top 10s
·         Average finish of 18.0

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
·         One win, five top fives, six top 10s
·         Average finish of 18.0

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet)
·         Two wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 14.5

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Fastenal Ford)
·         Four top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 16.6
 
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)
·         Six wins, 12 top fives, 19 top 10s; three poles
·         Average finish of 16.1

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)
·         Two top fives, two top 10s
·         Average finish of 21.0

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)
·         Two wins, five top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 15.4

Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet)
·         Two top fives, seven top 10s
·         Average finish of 17.3

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)
·         Two wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 16.2

Ryan Newman (No. 39 Quicken Loans Chevrolet)
·         One win, three top fives, four top 10s
·         Average finish of 21.2

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)
·         Four wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s; one pole
·         Average finish of 16.1
History
Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was Nov. 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.
The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1959.
Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona.
·         Lights were installed in the spring of 1998. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second Daytona race has been held under the lights ever since.
·         The track underwent a repave in 2010.

Notebook
There have been 131 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 54 have been 500 miles, 50 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.
Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona.
Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.
Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by 2 feet.
Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.
55 drivers have posted poles at Daytona.
Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona.
Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with three poles at Daytona.
56 drivers have won at Daytona.
Richard Petty leads all drivers in victories at Daytona with 10.
Jeff Gordon has six victories at Daytona, more than any other active driver.
The Wood Brothers have won 15 races at Daytona, more than any other car owner.
17 full-length races at Daytona have been won from the pole; the last to do it was Kevin Harvick in the 2011 Coke Zero 400.
A driver has swept both races at Daytona only four times, most recently by Bobby Allison in 1982.

 

NASCAR’s ‘First Lady’ Danica Patrick wins Coors Light Pole Award for Daytona 500

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Credit: 282786Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The front row for the Daytona 500 is now set.

Danica Patrick can now be labeled (literally) as the “Fastest Woman in Town” undoubtedly. Before Patrick’s record-setting pole run of 196.434 mph (45.817 seconds) Sunday afternoon, the highest DAYTONA 500 start by a female was 18th by Janet Guthrie in 1980.

This is Patrick’s second NASCAR pole, also winning the Coors Light Pole for the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona last season. The only other female to win a NASCAR national series pole was Shawna Robinson in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1994.

Danica Patrick made her own “HERstory” by winning the Coors Light Pole Award for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Patrick will be starting upfront with Jeff Gordon, winning the outside pole position for the start of the Daytona 500. Gordon stated that he can be labeled the “Fastest Guy in Town.”

Already a NASCAR record holder, Patrick set the mark of best finish by a female driver in when she finished fourth in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2011. She finished overall 10th in the final 2012 NASCAR Nationwide points standings, the top finish by a female in NASCAR national series history.

Patrick is in her first year in the Stewart-Haas Racing stable as teammate to Ryan Newman and teammate & car owner, Tony Stewart. SHR will head into the Duels on Thursday in position(s) Pole (Patrick), 4th (Newman) and 5th (Stewart).

Patrick, who is running for the 2013 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, is the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 pole since Jimmie Johnson in 2002. She continues to make HERstory in the future with being the first female to compete in the Sprint Unlimited in 2014.

DUEL at DAYTONA

Qualifying position determines which Duel the driver will race in. Those cars who earned ODD-NUMBERED positions from today’s Daytona 500 qualifying will be assigned to the FIRST Duel race. Those cars which earned the EVEN NUMBERED positions from qualifying will compete in the SECOND Duel race.

The STARTING POSITIONS for each Duel race will also be based on today’s qualifying times.

REMINDER: The Pole & outside Pole positions are locked in for the Daytona 500.

DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING RESULTS

Kevin Harvick takes win at Sprint Unlimited

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kevin-harvick-sprint-unlimited-victory-laneKevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS, won his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited race in dominating fashion Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Harvick won the second 25-lap segment and the final 20-lap dash. Overall, Harvick led 40 of the 75 laps en route to capturing the first win for the all-new Chevrolet SS race car. It is the eighth trip to the Sprint Unlimited Victory Lane for team owner Richard Childress.Harvick also joins Tony Stewart and Dale Jarrett as three‑time winners of the event, Dale Earnhardt all‑time winner of this event with six.

Harvick’s victory gives Chevrolet its 20th win in 35 Sprint Unlimited races, more than any other manufacturer. Eight Team Chevy drivers started tonight’s event and six of those drivers had previously visited Victory Lane at least once in the Sprint Unlimited.

Tony Stewart, No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS, started 14th and won segment number one, of the three-segment event, with Greg Biffle and Joey Logano rounding out the top three while Stewart finished fourth.

“Any time you’re in Victory Lane here in Daytona, it’s a great day,” Harvick said. “When you’re coming from white (flag) to checkered, it’s whatever you have to do to make it happen. It was a great day for our Budweiser Chevy and I’m glad we got Speedweeks started off the right way.”

The format for selecting The Sprint Unlimited field of drivers returned to its roots in 2013. The eligible field of drivers consisted of pole winners from the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and past winners of The Sprint Unlimited who have attempted to qualify for at least one race during the 2012 season.

In addition, race fans had the final voice in selecting the starting lineup, choosing from three different options. Fans in attendance on Saturday night voted that the 19-car field would line up in the order in which drivers won their first pole last season.

Also, fans in attendance were eligible to receive special upgraded race experiences including roles as Grand Marshal, Honorary Starter, and trophy presenter. Fans delivered the trophy to Gatorade Victory Lane and participated in driver introductions.

Race fans shaped the race by voting on race elements such as length of each race segment, type of team pit stop after first segment, how many cars would be eliminated after the second segment and the type of fire suit Miss Sprint Cup would wear.

I think any format like this that you can involve the fans, I think it makes them appreciate that somebody’s paying attention to them and really appreciates them being a part of our sport.

The only part, I think a lot of people look back and say, when they saw that wreck, you see the 12 cars, you see how hard it is to make moves with a limited amount of cars, eliminating cars would have been a bad deal because it just makes the racing that much harder and slows things down so much. Because the runs are slower, there’s less people to make the bottom groove be as competitive as the top groove was.

When you have more cars than one line, that line is going to run faster.

“All in all, I think it went pretty good. The trophy’s really heavy (smiling), said Harvick.

Casting Call: Travel Channel looking for ultimate race fan/family for new show

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Screen Shot 2013-02-14 at 7.23.02 PMDo you think you have “it?”  If you do, great! Are you a die-hard NASCAR fan and attending the Daytona 500? If you are, awesome! If you answered yes to both of those questions, the Travel Channel wants to hear from you!

Travel Channel will be filming at this year’s Daytona 500 and is seeking NASCAR superfans for a new series. They are looking for:

• A NASCAR-obsessed family in need of a tailgate upgrade – Do you love Daytona but wish you had a better tailgate setup?

• The best food – Do you have the ultimate signature dish, award-winning food creations, or one-of-a-kind recipes?

• The most unbelievable tailgate setup – Do you have a tricked out RV, unique tailgating inventions, or the perfect tailgating spot?

• The best Daytona 500 events – Do you host the best Infield parties, potlucks, contests, or games?

• The most unique Daytona 500 fan traditions – Do you have any peculiar or outrageous customs or superstitions?

If you or your family fit any of the above descriptions and will be at this year’s Daytona 500, please email UltimateNascarFanCasting@gmail.com with subject line “Daytona 500,” describing yourself and include photos of you and your family showing off your NASCAR/Daytona 500 pride!

Zac Brown Band to perform Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show

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Zac Brown Band. Photo courtesy of Daytona International Speedway

If you love Country music, then you love the Zac Brown Band. Plain and simple.

Grammy-award winning Zac Brown Band will perform the Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show leading up to the start of The Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 24. Zac Brown Band member Clay Cook will sing the National Anthem.

Zac Brown Band’s latest album “Uncaged” has been nominated for Best Country Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards and debuted No. 1 on Billboard 200.

All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the Daytona 500 will be able to enjoy Zac Brown Band’s Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, as well as driver introductions, from the grass tri-oval area.

If you are unable to attend in person, be sure to tune in to the Daytona 500 on FOX and FOX Deportes on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. ET.

Event schedule, times for Budweiser Speedweeks 2013 at Daytona International Speedway

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From Daytona International Speedway

For the fourth straight year, the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start time (TV – FOX Sports, Radio – MRN Radio).

Start times for the other remaining events of Budweiser Speedweeks 2013 at Daytona International Speedway are as follows:

• The 51st anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race, Jan. 26-27, 3:30 p.m. (SPEED)

• The Lucas Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series, Saturday, Feb. 16, 4:30 p.m. (SPEED)

• The Daytona Shootout non-points event, Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. (FOX)

• Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger, Sunday, Feb. 17, 1 p.m. (FOX)

• Budweiser Duel At Daytona, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m. (SPEED)

• NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Friday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. (SPEED)

• DRIVE4COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Saturday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. (ESPN)

The season-opening 55th annual Daytona 500 will mark the debut of the new 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Dubbed “Gen 6,” the new-look sixth generation cars highlight greater brand identity for the manufacturers.

Fans will lug anything around for NASCAR driver autographs

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Race fan, J. Richard Tomaski, Jr. of Houston, TX scatters around the garage area collecting NASCAR Cup driver autographs for his official SUNOCO fuel can. Photo by Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

Walking around in the Cup garage area at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday afternoon, I noticed and approached a fan – J. Richard Tomaski, Jr., a Sr. Project Manager for The Hanover Company from Houston, TX carrying an official SUNOCO Fuel can he purchased as memorabilia, trying to collect NASCAR Sprint Cup driver autographs.

He had been carrying the can around since Thursday (the day of the Gatorade Duel) trying to get as many of the driver’s autographs he could – hopefully everyone’s. As we stood there talking, I was about to ask him another question and that quickly, POOF! – he was gone – just as fast as you could say “race!!” Jimmie Johnson had walked by and it was one of the autographs he still needed.

He came walking back my way with a huge smile on his face.

“Got it!!” exclaimed Richard, breathless.

I asked Richard if he was planning on placing the gas can on ebay, as many people do.

J. Richard Tomaski, Jr.'s SUNOCO fuel can collecting NASCAR Cup driver autographs. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

“Heck no,” replied Richard, “not after all of this work!! I’m keeping this!! I never sell any of my autographed items.”

As of Saturday, he still needed the autographs of the following drivers: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Juan Montoya and a couple of more that he couldn’t remember right off the top of his head.

You had only one more day and I hope you got all of them, Richard!!

Race fans patiently waited for race; NASCAR had broadcast ratings on mind

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Fans hang out in the FanZone during the intermitten rain showers at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

Ok, wow, what a crazy, bizarre week this turned out to be leading up to “Superbowl” of racing, the Daytona 500. Awesome Bud Shootout and Gatorade Duel…happy to see that NASCAR accomplished getting rid of the two-car tandems and saw a lot more pack racing and lead changes. I was also happy to see new drivers win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Rookie John King, and in the Nationwide Series, James Buescher. The weather was cooperative and couldn’t have asked for better racing conditions.

And then Sunday arrived.

Sunday arrived with the clouds and the rain. This is Florida! But since when do we ever have all-day rain events? Usually it’s only during a tropical storm or hurricane. The all-out different weather scenario for the Daytona 500 had arrived. This was the first time the 500 had ever been postponed to a Monday night and also turned out to be the longest – started on Monday and ended early Tuesday morning – lasting two days!! Too bad NASCAR just didn’t schedule the Daytona 500 to be on a Saturday night when they pushed the date back a week this year…. ah, Florida in February… and there have been many rain delays during the Daytona 500, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, really. I know I would rather attend a race under the lights… just adds more excitement!

But NASCAR has to consider the tv ratings and viewer audiences as well. NASCAR makes a lot of money from broadcasting. The FOX network reported 36.5 million viewers watched a portion of the Monday night event, according to fast national ratings from Neilsen Media Research. The most-watched Daytona 500 was in 2006, with 37 million viewers for the NBC telecast. The race averaged 14.1 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, making it Fox’s most-watched Monday night in 16 months, dating back to Game 5 of the 2010 World Series. I had heard they didn’t want to run the Daytona 500 on Sunday night because they would’ve been competing against the Oscars; like I said…it’s hearsay. I know they were very eager and excited about running on Monday night because they wouldn’t have been up against anything on tv… except for maybe Hawaii Five- O. (Love that show!)

One item I would like to touch on is that I am surprised NASCAR doesn’t take the NCWTS and Nationwide Series more under it’s wing with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Why not keep all three series together, having the NCWTS race and qualifying on Thursday or Friday, then have qualifying, NASCAR Nationwide race and NASCAR Sprint Cup race leading into Saturday night? ESPN reported its telecast of the Nationwide Series opener Saturday, which had Danica Patrick on the pole, averaged 4.43 million viewers.

One point is some may think Daytona International Speedway purposely delayed the race so race fans will spend the money on concessions, food and souvenirs. However, from Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway, his view is this:

“From a financial impact perspective, you don’t generate any
more revenue on a rain day, all you’re doing is eating up expenses.
I can’t quantify a number other than the fact it’s going to cost us
more to run this event based on having another day of expenses
with no revenue associated with it.”

A majority of the tracks have lights… they should use them. I’m sure the teams would appreciate more time at home to spend time with their loved ones. I bet with more interest and a deeper look into scheduling, something could be worked out to “package” the other series with the Cup series. It would increase tickets sales, bring more attention and awareness to the NCWTS and NNS and help bring in sponsorships. A lot more fans would be willing to buy package deals while souvenir sales would increase as well.

One thing I do know from talking to fans, as well as drivers who try to compete: Keep the big Cup drivers out of the NASCAR Nationwide Series so the less sponsored teams have a chance and can compete on their own level. It’s hard when a team has a $5,000 – $10,000 engine to compete against, say, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. running in the race that may have a $75,000+ motor and top of the line equipment.

Yet, this is strictly my own opinion. I am sure there are fans that would disagree, some fans that might not be interested in the NCWTS or the NNS at times, and fans hat love to see the Cup guys take over and conquer in the NNS.

Hendrick Motorsports releases statement regarding NASCAR fines, suspensions to No. 48 team

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS STATEMENT

CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 29, 2012) – Hendrick Motorsports will appeal sanctions announced today by NASCAR related to the No. 48 Sprint Cup Series team.

“Our organization respects NASCAR and the way the sanctioning body governs our sport,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “In this case, though, the system broke down, and we will voice our concerns through the appeal process.”

Adjustments to No. 48 team personnel are not planned while the appeal is ongoing.

NASCAR penalizes No. 48 team, suspends, fines Chad Knaus for violation infractions in Daytona

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NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 48 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500.

The No. 48 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-2.1E (if in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted – unapproved car body modifications).

As a result, crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec have been suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events, suspended from NASCAR until April 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 9. Additionally, Knaus has been fined $100,000.

Driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.

NASCAR PR