Stenhouse Jr. escapes first two big wrecks, wins two stages at Daytona
Staff Report
Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
Several top contenders were eliminated from the Coke Zero Sugar 400 after big wrecks in Stage 2, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was able to remain unscathed and held on for his second stage win Saturday -- and his second of the season.
RELATED: Stage 2 results
Stenhouse Jr. was involved in two big wrecks, including "The Big One," which came on Lap 53 when 25 cars – more than half the field -- were caught up in a massive pileup. Brad Keselowski was running in second when he was clipped from behind by the No. 17 of Stenhouse Jr. to set off the collisions.
RELATED: 'The Big One' hits Daytona
Among the cars suffering most damage were those of Keselowski, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott. All exited the race.
Just a few laps later, on Lap 64, Kyle Busch and William Byron were involved in a wreck that caused enough damage to their cars that they could not continue. Stenhouse made contact with Busch's No. 18 Toyota to set off that wreck.
The 400-mile race is scheduled to end on Lap 160.
Finish
Driver
Team
Race Points
1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Roush Fenway Racing
10
2
Michael McDowell
Front Row Motorsports
9
3
Alex Bowman
Hendrick Motorsports
8
4
Kasey Kahne
Leavine Family Racing
7
5
Ty Dillon
Germain Racing
6
6
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports
5
7
Kyle Larson
Chip Ganassi Racing
4
8
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing
3
9
Trevor Bayne
Roush Fenway Racing
2
10
Ryan Newman
Richard Childress Racing
1
STAGE 1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collected his first stage win of the season when he led the final 28 laps of Stage 1 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
Stenhouse Jr., who started sixth, was battling with pole-sitter Chase Elliott for the lead by Lap 10. The two swapped the lead for a couple laps before Stenhouse Jr. found speed in the high line at Daytona and took the lead on Lap 13.
Several cars caught in the low groove -- including Elliott -- were shuffled back in the running order early. A furious push to collect points for the stage resulted in a handful of cars sliding into the low line to challenge for the lead -- including Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron in fourth and Elliott in fifth.