Snapshot: Daytona

Posted on February 21, 2015 by

Get caught up before the 57th running of the Great American Race

Play: NASCAR Fantasy Live | Buy Daytona 500 gear

What: 57th annual Daytona 500
Where: Daytona International Speedway, 2.5-mile tri-oval in Daytona Beach, Florida
When: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015
TV/Radio: FOX Sports, MRN (1 p.m. ET)

Race Length: 200 laps
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Caution Car Speed: 70 mph
Fuel Window: 42 laps

FULL SERIES COVERAGE

• Latest news
• Standings
• Schedule

On The Front Row | Starting Lineup
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet (201.293 mph)
Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet (201.135 mph).

Notable: Kyle Busch will miss the Daytona 500 after taking a hard hit with his No. 54 Toyota in Saturday’s XFINITY Series season opener He sustained a compound fracture of the right lower leg and a mid-foot fracture of his left foot. Busch was alert but taken to Halifax Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Matt Crafton was named as the replacement driver

Notable II: Gordon’s Coors Light Pole Award is his fourth for the Daytona 500, and he’s one of just seven drivers to win the Great American Race from the pole. Gordon and Dale Jarrett won the race from the pole in back-to-back seasons in 1999 and 2000. This will be Jeff Gordon’s final Daytona 500. | Gordon ready for last 500 ride

To The Rear
Twelve drivers will drop to the back of the field before the start of the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin, Danica Patrick, Casey Mears, AJ Allmendinger, Sam Hornish Jr., Trevor Bayne and Johnny Sauter, David Ragan, Ryan Newman and Bobby Labonte (backup cars); Regan Smith and Matt Crafton (replacement drivers).

Notable III: Officially, the deepest in the field a Daytona 500 winner has started is 39th (Matt Kenseth, 2009).

Defending Daytona 500 Winner
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet.

Notable IV: Only three drivers, Richard Petty (1973-’74), Cale Yarborough (’83-’84) and Sterling Marlin (’94-’95) have won back-to-back Daytona 500 titles.

Budweiser Duel Winners

Race #1

Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet).

Who Raced Their Way In: Landon Cassill (Hillman Racing No. 40 Chevrolet), Cole Whitt (Front Row Motorsports No. 35 Ford), Michael McDowell (Leavine Family Racing no. 95 Ford, J.J. Yeley (BK Racing No. 23 Toyota), Michael Annett (HScott Motorsports No. 46 Chevrolet), Ty Dillon (Circle Sport Racing No. 33 Chevrolet).

Who Failed To Transfer: Ron Hornaday Jr. (The Motorsports Group No. 30 Chevrolet), Justin Marks (No. 29 RAB Racing Chevrolet).

Race #2:

Winner: Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet)

Who Raced Their Way In: Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford), Reed Sorenson (Team Xtreme Racing No. 44 Chevrolet), Mike Wallace (Jay Robinson Racing No. 66 Toyota), Justin Allgaier (HScott Motorsports No. 51 Chevrolet, David Gilliland (Front Row Motorsports No. 38 Ford) and David Ragan (Front Row Racing No. 34 Ford).

Who Failed To Transfer: Josh Wise (Phil Parsons Racing No. 98 Ford), Jeb Burton (BK Racing No. 26 Toyota), Alex Bowman (Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7 Chevrolet), Brian Scott (Premium Motorsports No. 62 Chevrolet).

Fastest In Practice
First Practice: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 Ford (202.643 mph).
Second Practice: Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing No. 95 Ford (199.322 mph).
Third Practice: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota (200.776 mph).
Fourth Practice: Alex Bowman, Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7 Chevrolet (200.495 mph).
Fifth Practice: Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet (192.699 mph).
Seventh Practice: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet (194.405 mph).
Eighth Practice: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota (202.106 mph).

Driver rating (Best driver rating average in the Daytona 500 based on the past nine years, minimum 5 starts):
Matt Kenseth, 91.6
Dale Earnhardt Jr., 90.3

They said it I: "I don’t think anybody wants to be in the scenario where you have to sub under circumstances, whatever they may be. And with that said, if it happens, you want to make the most of that opportunity. And there are some guys, I don’t know how many, but we’ll say 200 employees because I don’t know how many Stewart-Haas has, but there are a lot of people that have had their hands on that race car and have worked hard on that race car and they deserve to still have the opportunity to go out there and win that race; and that’s what we’re going to try to do for them." — Regan Smith, on filling in for the suspended Kurt Busch in the No. 41 Chevrolet

They said it II: "When someone of (Jeff Gordon’s) caliber isn’t on the track, it definitely is going to have a big effect. Not only in the 500 next year, but the entire season. Our sport is going to be different without him there. I feel very good about Chase Elliott going into the car. We’ll all have fun watching him grow and mature as a driver, see what he’s capable of, kind of fill in that Jeff space that’s there. I wasn’t around to watch the King (Richard Petty) step down and some of the other greats that have been in our sport, so I don’t know exactly how it’s going to go. If Jeff Gordon isn’t on the track, for 23 years he’s been such a force on the track. Our sport is not going to necessarily suffer from it, but it’s just not the same. It’s Jeff Gordon." — Jimmie Johnson on Jeff Gordon’s final Daytona 500 appearance

They said it III: "Well, I don’t think it boosts our confidence a lot. Winning the Daytona 500 is a real challenge. The challenge didn’t get easier tonight. One thing I am happy about is being able to get this car through the Duels without any trouble because it’s such a good racecar. We’ll be very careful throughout the rest of track activities the remainder of the week. I’m just excited to be able to put this car on the grid for Sunday. I wouldn’t want to be driving anything else. The car’s so spectacular; it’s just going to be great. A proud moment to put it on the grid because I think it’s such a good racecar." — Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his Budweiser Duels-winning No. 88 Chevrolet

Former Daytona 500 Winners In Field
Jimmie Johnson (2013; ’06); Matt Kenseth (2012; ’09); Trevor Bayne (2011); Jamie McMurray (2010); Ryan Newman (2008); Kevin Harvick (2007); Jeff Gordon (2005, ’99, ’97); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014; ’04); Michael Waltrip (2003; ’01).

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Posted on February 21, 2015 by

‘Nowhere but NASCAR’ brings to life the thrill of the sport

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Riding a surge of momentum generated by the most thrilling Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ ever, NASCAR® and FOX are releasing a broad portfolio of original creative promoting the return of the most unpredictable and dramatic experience in sports.

Variations of nine unique spots across two national series comprise NASCAR’s robust season launch campaign, including three exciting pieces of creative showcasing the NASCAR XFINITY Series™. The new ads were designed to reach casual and avid fans and feature appearances from many of the sport’s notable drivers.

"We wanted to capture and capitalize on the unprecedented excitement fueled by last year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," said Kim Brink, NASCAR senior vice president, marketing. "NASCAR’s new creative puts its stars at the forefront and conveys the message that our sport is unlike any other — and that we’re anything but ordinary."

NASCAR and FOX worked with a pair of agencies to develop the creative across the two national series. NASCAR partners Ogilvy & Mather New York created the prolific NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign while Pereira O’Dell New York, FOX’s agency partner, worked on the NASCAR XFINITY Series spots.

"What If" will air during the Daytona 500® on Sunday, Feb. 22 (1 p.m. ET on FOX). The spot connects fans with the extraordinary nature of NASCAR, developed over time from a grassroots beginning to a modern era dominated by intense racing competition and driver rivalries.

"The Daytona 500 is a large-scale celebration of what makes NASCAR truly unique," said Terry Finley, senior partner, group creative director, Ogilvy & Mather. "By bringing to life these unique qualities — from the scale and pageantry, to the driver star power, the rich historical roots, or the embrace of technology, among others — the work makes a compelling case to existing and new fans alike that this type of experience can be found ‘nowhere but NASCAR.’ "

"Ice Cream" will promote the launch of NASCAR Acceleration Nation™, the sport’s new national youth platform. The remaining spots — "Thank You" and "Fantasy Owner" — highlight the NASCAR digital experience and suite of apps including Raceview and Fantasy Live.

The first of three NASCAR XFINITY Series spots will debut during the series’ race on Saturday, Feb. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1). The original creative, to be released over the next several months, will drive home the narrative that "Names Are Made Here" and feature popular, up-and-coming drivers.

"The sheer energy and momentum being felt in the NASCAR community creates a tremendous environment to work in," said Robert Gottlieb, FOX Sports EVP of marketing. "We are entering our 15th year of working together with NASCAR and our brands are part of each other’s DNA. This collaboration — in this environment — combines our strong history together with a series of fresh, new ideas that tap into the passion surrounding the sport."

The overall NASCAR creative campaign spots are:

• What If: Features a fresh and authentic take on NASCAR, highlighting the sport’s evolution into the greatest show on pavement.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/FdIYvsCjEf4

• Regular Season: In NASCAR, every race and every win matters. The intensity, the pressure, and the stakes are higher each week and if you win…you’re in the Chase. NASCAR’s regular season is anything but regular.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/YD2ZWRabgoE

• Ice Cream: Introduces NASCAR Acceleration Nation, the sport’s first-ever youth platform designed to make learning math and science fun for kids.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/m5uXQandkJE

• Thank You: Promotes NASCAR.com’s Raceview app, which brings fans all the information they need to follow the race when on-the-go.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/GbDIIxhiv5k

• Fantasy Owner: Promotes NASCAR.com’s Fantasy product and encourages fans to sign up and engage all season long.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/lt_sOU3ToSM

• Names: Introduces viewers to up-and-coming NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers who work tirelessly to prepare for their shot at glory on the track.

o Click here to view the spot: http://youtu.be/Sb50axXbwaQ

Posted on February 21, 2015 by

Roush Fenway Racing teammates finish 1-2 in Alert Today Florida 300

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RELATED: Full race results | Series standings

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — With a spectacular last-lap move to the inside, not to mention a timely shove from Roush Fenway Racing teammate Chris Buescher, Ryan Reed stormed to his first NASCAR XFINITY Series victory in Saturday’s Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

"Oh, my God, we won Daytona!" exulted Reed, who has overcome a diagnosis of Type I diabetes to drive full-time in the XFINITY Series.

FULL SERIES COVERAGE

• Latest news
• Standings
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Buescher finished second, .089 seconds behind, with Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski claiming positions three through five. Keselowski was leading at the white flag, but a last-lap crash in Turn 1 left him alone in front of the field and a prime target for the Roush Fenway tandem.

On Lap 112, during a 10-car wreck that started at the exit from the tri-oval, Kyle Busch crashed nose-first into the concrete wall inside Turn 1. Busch climbed from his car but was unable to stay on his feet.

Emergency medical technicians put an air cast on Busch’s right leg before lifting him on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance. The driver of the No. 54 Toyota was transported directly to Halifax Medical Center for further evaluation. Busch was awake and alert and undergoing treatment for his leg injury. Joe Gibbs Racing said Busch will not drive in Sunday’s Daytona 500, and the organization is making contingency plans. Sunday’s race will be the first Sprint Cup event since the penultimate event of the 2001 season without one of the Busch brothers (Kurt or Kyle) in the field.

In a race where attrition was the watchword, Reed was one of nine drivers to finish on the lead lap.

"For every kid that gets diagnosed with diabetes, or anything that says you can’t do something, just go out there and overcome it and do it," Reed said. "This is unreal. It hasn’t even sunk in yet. …

"When the wreck broke out of the least lap, Keselowski was out there on an island, and we got a huge run and it set up perfectly. … It’s amazing."

After failing to qualify for the Daytona race last year, Buescher was elated with his second-place run, especially since he finished runner-up to a teammate.

"We’re just happy to be running this race this year," Buescher said. "After last year going the way it did, we’re proud that we were in it. Our Ford Mustang was fast all weekend. Just trying to stay out of trouble, and there was a lot of it.

"We barely got out of it. I think we ended up, me and Ty, at one point getting through one of those last ones. It was a melee, a lot of torn up equipment. Just happy we could get out of it. Happy for Ryan to get his first win, knowing the feeling after last year (when he got his first win at Mid-Ohio) of finally getting one off your back."

Chase Elliott’s XFINITY Series title defense got off to a rocky start. Elliott was an innocent victim of a 13-car wreck on Lap 93 but continued after repairs. The coup de grace for the driver of the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevy came on Lap 112, when he was sidelined in the same wreck that injured Busch.

The DNF (did not finish) was Elliott’s first in 34 XFINITY Series starts.

Darrell Wallace Jr. and Elliott Sadler finished 12th and 19th, respectively, in their first events for Roush Fenway Racing.

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