Earnhardt Jr. leads 67 laps to win Koolerz 300

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. successfully defended his Koolerz 300 title on Saturday, winning the Busch Series opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Koolerz 300  Results  Standings

Matt Kenseth finished second. Kevin Harvick was third, Mike Wallace was fourth and Jamie McMurray was fifth.

Harvick had a dominant car -- he led the first 53 laps -- but Harvick was penalized for leaving pit road with the catch can attached to his No. 21 Chevy. Harvick never was able to get back to the front.

Harvick and Earnhardt Jr. were the only two drivers to lead a lap. It was Earnhardt Jr.'s third victory of Speedweeks 2003.

Only five cautions slowed the 120-lap event, but a crash with two laps to go caused the race to finish under the yellow.