Friday, June 30, 2017

Final Daytona Driver Ratings: 2017 Coke Zero 400

One last ride for Dale Earnhardt Jr at Daytona. He starts from pole, so why not just win on the way out. 
Micah Roberts' Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Ratings
Coke Zero 400
Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, July 1, 2017 - 7:50 pm ET

RATED DRIVER     ODDS                  PRAC 1      PRAC 2      START 
 1. Brad Keselowski 7/1          2nd       DNP         3rd
 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr 8/1        19th         1st          1st
 3. Joey Logano 10/1               4th       10th          7th
 4. Kurt Busch 15/1                10th      DNP         15th
 5. Denny Hamlin 10/1            13th      DNP         18th
 6. Kyle Busch 12/1                 1st      DNP         16th
 7. Clint Bowyer                     20th        6th          11th
 8. Chase Elliott 18/1              24th        7th          2nd
 9. Kasey Kahne 30/1             26th        5th          4th
10. Jimmie Johnson 18/1        25th        3rd          12th
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 20/1     6th       DNP          6th
12. Martin Truex Jr 12/1          23rd       DNP        25th
13. Jamie McMurray 25/1        35th       11th          8th
14. Matt Kenseth 15/1            22nd       13th        13th
15. Ryan Blaney 18/1               5th       DNP          9th

Opening odds courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

Micah Roberts, a former Las Vegas sports book director, has been setting auto racing odds in Las Vegas since 1994.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Daytona NASCAR Cup Series Notes: 2017 Coke Zero 400

Scenes from the Daytona 500 in February.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola
The Place: Daytona International Speedway
The Date: Saturday, July 1
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC, 7:30 p.m. ET, NASCAR America Saturday, NBCSN, 5 p.m.
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 400 miles (160 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 160)

NASCAR XFINITY Series
Next Race: Coca-Cola Firecracker 250
The Place: Daytona International Speedway
The Date: Friday, June 30
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSN, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 250 miles (100 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 30),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on lap 100)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Next Race: Buckle Up In Your Truck 225
The Place: Kentucky Speedway
The Date: Thursday, July 6
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 225 miles (150 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 35), 
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 70), Final Stage (Ends on lap 150)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Parity Party: 11 Different Winners In First 16 Races
Heading into Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola (7:30 p.m. on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), 11 different drivers have visited Victory Lane through the first 16 races of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

With a number of NASCAR’s current and upcoming stars still searching for wins, there’s a realistic chance 16 different drivers will have at least one win at the conclusion of the 26-race regular season. In the modern era, the record for the most different winners through the first 26 races is 16.

Previous winners still trying to visit Victory Lane in 2017 include: Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Chris Buescher, Trevor Bayne, Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, AJ Allmendinger, Aric Almirola and David Ragan.

Some young up-and-coming stars who have proven they’re not far from a win are Chase Elliott, Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez.

Remember to never rule out a dark horse driver at restrictor-plate Daytona International Speedway or the road course at Watkins Glen International.

Past winners by remaining regular season tracks without capturing a checkered flag in 2017 are listed below:

Daytona: Kenseth, Hamlin, Earnhardt Jr., McMurray, Ky. Busch, Bayne, Almirola, Ragan
Kentucky: Ky. Busch, Kenseth
New Hampshire: Ky. Busch, Kenseth, Bowyer, Hamlin, Kahne
Indianapolis: Ky. Busch, McMurray, Menard
Pocono: Hamlin, Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr., Kahne, Buescher
Watkins Glen: Hamlin, Ky. Busch, Allmendinger
Michigan: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth, Kahne
Bristol: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr., Kahne
Darlington: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth
Richmond: Ky. Busch, Hamlin, Kenseth, Bowyer, Earnhardt Jr., Kahne

Dale-Tona: Earnhardt Ready To Roll At Daytona, May Compete In Another Great American Race
With win totals of six and four at Talladega and Daytona, respectively, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR’s current restrictor-plate wins leader.

Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola was initially believed to be Earnhardt’s final race at “The Birthplace of Speed,” but Earnhardt did not rule out running another Daytona 500 during his media availability at Sonoma last week.

“I am just retiring from full-time racing,” Earnhardt said. “I am going to run some XFINITY races next year. I don’t know that I won’t ever run the Daytona 500 again if the right deal comes along. All these tracks you have memories at all of them, Daytona included.”

In addition to his four Daytona wins, Earnhardt claims 13 top fives and 19 top 10s in 35 starts at the 2.5-mile track. His 14.3 average finish and 94.2 driver rating rank second-best among active drivers there.

Positioned 22nd in the standings, Earnhardt sits 134 points behind Clint Bowyer for the final playoff spot and virtually must win to get into the postseason and make a run at his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.


Keselowski Goes For Daytona Summer Repeat
Last season’s summer Daytona winner Brad Keselowski will attempt to defend his 2016 win on Saturday. A skilled restrictor-plate racer, Keselowski has four wins at Talladega to go along with his one at Daytona.

He’ll try to join the back-to-back club of Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola winners that includes Fireball Roberts (1962-63), A.J. Foyt (1964-65), Cale Yarborough (1967-68), David Pearson (1972-75) and Tony Stewart (2005-06).

In 16 starts at the 2.5-mile track, the No. 2 Ford driver also owns three top fives and four top 10s.

At the moment, Keselowski ranks fifth in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points standings (140 points behind leader Kyler Larson) on the strength of two race wins, two stage wins, nine top fives and 11 top 10s.

Busch Goes For First Daytona Sweep Since 2013
Daytona 500 champion Kurt Busch will go for the first track sweep since Jimmie Johnson won twice at the 2.5-mile track in 2013.

In February, Busch led only the final lap to take the checkered flag in NASCAR’s crown jewel event.

Although he has only one Daytona win, Busch ranks third among active drivers there in driver rating (90.6) and average finish (15.2).

Four other drivers in addition to Johnson have swept the Daytona races: Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).

Young Guns Prepared To Shine Again At Daytona
Many of the young guns in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series produced strong performances in the Daytona 500. They’ll try to put on a show again in Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 Presented by Coca-Cola.

Ryan Blaney, 23, headlined the effort with a runner-up showing, while Joey Logano, 27, placed in the top 10 with a sixth-place finish. Matt DiBenedetto, 26, came in ninth, while Trevor Bayne, 26, took 10th.

Kyle Larson, 24, placed 12th in “The Great American Race,” but led on the final lap before running out of fuel. Chase Elliott, 21, finished 14th, but led 39 laps until he ran out of fuel, as well.

Harvick Revved Up For Daytona After First Win
Kevin Harvick picked up his first win of the season, leading 24 laps on his way to Victory Lane at Sonoma. He’s now won at least one race in the last eight seasons.

A mainstay at the top of the standings the last few seasons, Harvick finds himself there again. He ranks third in points – 111 markers below leader Kyle Larson. For the year, he also claims three stage wins, eight playoff points, six top fives and 10 tops 10s.

In 32 Daytona starts, Harvick claims two wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s and a 16.3 average finish.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.
NASCAR Returns To NBC: This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to the NBC family of networks for the rest of the season. Rick Allen serves as the lead race announcer and is joined in the booth by 21-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race winner Jeff Burton and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.

The pre-race show is hosted by Krista Voda, three-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Jarrett and auto racing icon Kyle Petty. Reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Dave Burns and Parker Kligerman provide pre- and post-race coverage from pit road and the garages.

A new features reporter, four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon, joins the team. Rutledge Wood will continue to report features as well.

NBCSports.com lead motorsports writer Nate Ryan handles breaking news.

Saturday’s pre-race coverage will include a special essay on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his final race at Daytona, voiced by legendary broadcaster and member of 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ken Squier.

NASCAR Decades Premieres on NBCSNNASCAR Productions and NBC are teaming up to celebrate the sport’s unique culture, moments and characters in two original documentaries highlighting some of NASCAR’s most iconic eras. Premiering this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN, NASCAR Decades: The 70s incorporates interviews and rare NASCAR archival material to feature everything from the hairstyles to the paint schemes that distinguished the time period.

Personalities including Ric Flair, Larry Webster and Tim Dugger are featured alongside current drivers and NBC talent, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Steve Letarte and Rutledge Wood, among numerous others.   

The second era-themed special, NASCAR Decades: The 80s, premieres on July 7 at 11 p.m. ET following the NASCAR XFINTY Series race on NBCSN.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Dale Earnhardt Jr to possibly make final Daytona start Saturday

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 8/1 to win Coke Zero 400.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on heading to Daytona, #Appreci88ion
“I have great memories at all of these tracks, Daytona included. I am going to be coming back to these tracks whether I’m driving or not, and I want to continue to be part of the sport. It’s hard for me to put into words what it being my last Cup race at Daytona might feel like because I don’t know what that is going to feel like, and you never say never. Our whole idea on finishing up the season is to try to show our appreciation and express that to our fans and everyone in the industry on making this an incredibly enjoyable ride."

Earnhardt on his legacy

“I think the wins are great. I enjoyed celebrating those, but long after your career, guys come along and win races and some of your accomplishments on the track sort of get forgotten. But, who you are as a person never gets forgotten. People never forget who you were. I hope people just thought I was good and honest and represented the sport well. I hope people that work with me enjoyed working with me, whether it was in the Late Model ranks or whatever; and I hope the guys I raced against enjoyed racing with me. That’s really all that will matter. Hopefully I left a good impression. I’ve had a lot of fun.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, will visit the Daytona International Speedway media center at 1 p.m. local time on Friday, June 30.

DAYTONA LEGACY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had his share of success at Daytona International Speedway, adding to the Earnhardt family legacy at the historic track. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native has four wins – the most of any active driver – including two Daytona 500 victories (2004 and 2014). He also has earned seven non-points victories at the speedway. He is tied for the most top-five finishes (13) among active drivers and leads active drivers in top-10 finishes (19), laps led (601) and best average starting position (10.2) at the track. Earnhardt is in a five-way tie for seventh on the Daytona all-time wins list. His most recent victory at Daytona came in the summer race two years ago on July 5, 2015.

LOOP DATA: Along with his all-time statistics, Earnhardt ranks high in NASCAR’s loop data stats among active drivers since 2005 at the 2.5-mile, D-shaped oval. He leads in laps run in the top 15 (2,917) and speed on restarts (177.290 mph); he ranks second in average running position (13.634) and driver rating (94.2); third in green-flag passes (5,214) and quality passes (3,522); and fourth in fastest laps run (100).

#APPRECI88ION TOUR: On Tuesday, Earnhardt announced a five-month campaign called JR Nation Appreci88ion, which will start this weekend at Daytona and carry through the end of the 2017 season, his last as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver. The Appreci88ion campaign will celebrate Earnhardt’s historic career while offering gestures of gratitude to everyone who made the ride possible. Throughout, fans can join the celebration by using the #Appreci88ion hashtag on social media. Earnhardt himself will be using it to share weekly videos recounting memories and milestones from each of the upcoming tracks the remainder of the season. JR Nation Appreci88ion merchandise will be available at the Dale Earnhardt Jr. souvenir trailers at the track and at ShopJRNation.com. More information on the Appreci88ion campaign can be found at DaleJr.com.

PINK GLOVES: During the month of July, Earnhardt will be wearing gloves accented in pink to represent Therapeutic Recreation Week as part of The Dale Jr. Foundation’s ongoing Driven to Give Gloves program. Earnhardt’s race-worn gloves will be auctioned off to raise funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s clinical and research programs. Nationwide Children’s is America’s largest pediatric hospital and research center with all care provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

PATIENT CHAMPION AND FRIEND: Maddie Delaney will have her name above the passenger door of Earnhardt’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS this weekend at Daytona through Nationwide’s Patient Champion program, which is paired with The Dale Jr. Foundation's Driven to Give Gloves. Maddie, 10, has cerebral palsy. When Maddie was just 2, she underwent a six-hour spinal surgery to release the built-up tension in her legs. She spent almost an entire month on the PT floor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. But, through it all, Maddie never gave up and maintained a positive, upbeat attitude. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious and she inevitably brightens the day of everyone she meets – including the Earnhardts. On one of his first trips to Nationwide Children’s, Earnhardt met Maddie – she subsequently beat him in a Wii game – and in every visit since, both Earnhardt and his wife Amy make sure to stop by and play a video game or hang out with Maddie. Maddie is currently pursuing her black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys swimming, singing and acting.

NATIONWIDE PET PROMOTION: Pet owners can visit www.pawsandracing.com to learn more about Nationwide’s pet insurance and submit a photo of their pet(s) to enter to win a VIP race experience including travel to the Sept. 24 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a meet-and-greet with Gus and Earnhardt and their pet’s image will be featured on the TV panel of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS during the Sept. 24 race weekend. Additional first prize winners will receive a Nationwide Pet Accessory Kit plus a No. 88 Nationwide die-cast car signed by Earnhardt.

 

2017 Season

  • 22nd in standings
  • 16 starts
  • 0 race wins
  • 0 stage wins
  • 0 pole positions
  • 1 top-five finish
  • 4 top-10 finishes
  • 10 laps led
 
 

Career

  • 611 starts
  • 26 wins
  • 13 pole positions
  • 149 top-five finishes
  • 256 top-10 finishes
  • 8,197 laps led
 
 

Track Career 

  • 35 starts
  • 4 wins
  • 1 pole position
  • 13 top-five finishes
  • 19 top-10 finishes
  • 601 laps led
 

Daytona Betting Preview: 2017 Coke Zero 400

A Ford has won past five restrictor-plate races.
LAS VEGAS -- We get our third of four restrictor-plate races on the season with Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway's 2.5-mile, high-banked layout. Dating back to the spring Talladega race last season, Ford has won the past five plate-races. Will a Chevrolet or Toyota break the run this week? How about a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota finally winning a race on the season?

JGR's Denny Hamlin won last years Daytona 500 and that's the last non-Ford to grab a plate win. The last three winners in 2016 were by a Team Penske Ford, including Brad Keselowski's win in this race where he led 115 laps. He also won at Talladega in the spring and led the most laps at Talladega during the playoffs.

Stewart Haas Racing's Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500 in February in the teams first attempt in a Ford after departing Chevrolet following last season. It was also the elder of the Busch brothers first plate win in his 64th attempt at it. He was considered the best plate racer to never win a race. In his last nine plate races he's got an 8.7 average finish. The next most consistent is Penske's Joey Logano with a 13.1 average that includes three wins.

At Talladega in May, Ricky Stenhouse captured his first career win, but it was Kyle Busch (finished third) and Denny Hamlin (11th) who led the most laps. Keselowski led the third most laps (31) and finished seventh.

Obviously Ford has something clicking in the plate races and one of their drivers is a good place to start, but also note that Busch's winning car is on display at Daytona for the entire year. His teammates Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick have always been good in plate races. You've got the Penske cars, including Ryan Blaney who finished second in the Daytona 500, and you've also got Roush Fenway Fords showing power.

There's lots to mull over this week. Up to 32 cars have a legitimate chance to win with the plates on, but there will be one driver I'll surely be rooting for as a fan and bettor as I watch NBC's first race broadcast of the season. This could be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last race at Daytona as he's set to retire at the end of the season.

For me, the Dale Jr angle is a big deal. There's a possibility that he could race at Daytona again someday, so this might not be the final time he starts at Daytona, but the link between he and the track make the possibility he won't ever race at Daytona enough to care that this might be his last. Make sense?

Read More Here.....Top-5 Finish Prediction

Odds to win 2017 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona

Defending Coke Zero 400 winner Brad Keselowski comes in as the favorite.
WESTGATE LAS VEGAS SUPER BOOK
ODDS TO WIN COKE ZERO 400
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2017 - 7:50 PM ET


Brad KESELOWSKI 7/1
Dale EARNHARDT JR 8/1
Denny HAMLIN 10/1
Joey LOGANO 10/1
Kevin HARVICK 12/1
Kyle BUSCH 12/1
Martin TRUEX JR 12/1
Kyle LARSON 15/1
Kurt BUSCH 15/1
Chase ELLIOTT 18/1
Ryan BLANEY 18/1
Jimmie JOHNSON 18/1
Matt KENSETH 15/1
Clint BOWYER 18/1
Ricky STENHOUSE JR 20/1
Jamie McMURRAY 25/1
Austin DILLON 30/1
Kasey KAHNE 30/1
Trevor BAYNE 30/1
Paul MENARD 40/1
Erik JONES 40/1
Darrell WALLACE JR 50/1
Daniel SUAREZ 50/1
Ryan NEWMAN 60/1
AJ ALLMENDINGER 80/1
Ty DILLON 80/1
Michael McDOWELL 80/1
Chris BUESCHER 100/1
Danica PATRICK 100/1
FIELD (all others) 60/1

Daytona International Speedway Track Facts: 2017 Coke Zero 400

Up to 32 cars can win Saturday night at Daytona.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2017 Top 16 At Daytona International Speedway
Rank
Driver
Races
Poles
Wins
Top Fives
Top 10s
DNFs
Average Finish
Driver Rating
 
 
1
Kyle Larson
7
0
0
0
2
3
24.6
70.4
 
2
Martin Truex Jr
24
1
0
1
3
5
22.1
78.6
 
3
Kevin Harvick
32
1
2
9
14
4
16.3
82.3
 
4
Kyle Busch
24
1
1
7
8
6
18.4
94.7
 
5
Brad Keselowski
16
0
1
3
4
5
21.1
79.6
 
6
Chase Elliott
3
2
0
0
0
0
27.7
65.5
 
7
Jimmie Johnson
31
2
3
11
14
8
18
87.6
 
8
Jamie McMurray
29
0
2
3
5
10
23.7
80.3
 
9
Denny Hamlin
23
0
1
6
7
1
17.1
89.7
 
10
Joey Logano
17
0
1
4
7
2
16.2
87.8
 
11
Clint Bowyer
23
0
0
3
11
4
16.4
77.9
 
12
Matt Kenseth
35
1
2
6
14
6
18.8
86.8
 
13
Ryan Blaney
4
0
0
1
1
1
18.5
82.7
 
14
Kurt Busch
32
0
1
13
17
1
16.5
90.6
 
15
Ryan Newman
31
0
1
4
7
5
20.1
74.8
 
16
Erik Jones
1
0
0
0
0
1
39
50.6
 
* – Based on last 25 races at Daytona International Speedway (2005 – 2017).


2017 Stage Winners / Drivers with Playoff Points
Track
Stage 1 Winner
Stage 2 Winner
Stage 3 Winner
Race Winner
 
Following Race #16
Daytona
Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick
N/A
Kurt Busch
 
Drivers
Points
Atlanta
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
N/A
Brad Keselowski
 
Martin Truex Jr.
21
Las Vegas
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr.
N/A
Martin Truex Jr.
 
Jimmie Johnson
16
Phoenix
Joey Logano
Chase Elliott
N/A
Ryan Newman
 
Kyle Larson
13
Auto Club
Kyle Larson
Martin Truex Jr.
N/A
Kyle Larson
 
Brad Keselowski
12
Martinsville
Martin Truex Jr.
Chase Elliott
N/A
Brad Keselowski
 
Ryan Blaney
8
Texas
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney
N/A
Jimmie Johnson
 
Kevin Harvick
8
Bristol
Kyle Larson
Martin Truex Jr.
N/A
Jimmie Johnson
 
Ryan Newman
5
Richmond
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
N/A
Joey Logano
 
Kurt Busch
5
Talladega
Brad Keselowski
Denny Hamlin
N/A
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
 
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
5
Kansas
Kyle Busch
Ryan Blaney
N/A
Martin Truex Jr.
 
Austin Dillon
5
Charlotte
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin
Austin Dillon
 
Kyle Busch
4
Dover
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr.
N/A
Jimmie Johnson
 
Chase Elliott
2
Pocono
Kyle Busch 
Kyle Larson 
N/A 
Ryan Blaney 
 
Denny Hamlin
2
Michigan
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr.
N/A
Kyle Larson
 
Joey Logano
1
Sonoma
Martin Truex Jr.
Jimmie Johnson
N/A
Kevin Harvick
 
Matt Kenseth
1

Daytona International Speedway Data
Season Race #: 17 of 36 (07-01-17)
Track Size: 2.5-mile
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 31 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 31 degrees
Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  3,800 feet
Backstretch Length:  3,000 feet
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 40 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 80 laps

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Daytona
Kyle Busch................................. 94.7
Dale Earnhardt Jr....................... 94.2
Kurt Busch................................. 90.6
Denny Hamlin............................. 89.7
Joey Logano............................... 87.8
Jimmie Johnson.......................... 87.6
Matt Kenseth.............................. 86.8
Ryan Blaney............................... 82.7
Kevin Harvick............................. 82.3
Kasey Kahne.............................. 81.9
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2017 races (25 total) among active drivers at Daytona International Speedway.

Qualifying/Race Data
2016 pole winner:
Greg Biffle, Ford
192.955 mph, 46.643 secs., 06-30-16

2016 race winner:
Brad Keselowski, Ford
150.342 mph, (02:40:30), 07-02-16

Track qualifying record (July race):
Cale Yarborough, Ford
203.519 mph, 44.222 secs 07-02-86

Track race record (July race):
Bobby Allison, Mercury
173.473 mph, (02:18:21), 07-04-80


Daytona International Speedway:

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 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1959 – won by Bob Welborn.
·        The first summer race at Daytona International Speedway was held on July 4, 1959 – won by Fireball Roberts (140.581 mph).
·        NASCAR Hall of Famer 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.
·        There have been 140 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway since the track hosted its first race in 1959:  59 have been 500 miles, 54 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.

Starts
·        452 drivers have competed in at least one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series July race at Daytona International Speedway; 286 in more than one.
·        Richard Petty leads the series in July race starts at Daytona with 32. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth lead all active drivers with 17 starts – this weekend will be Earnhardt’s final MENCS start at Daytona as a full-time driver.
·        A total 177 drivers have made their first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona; only 19 have made their first start during the July race.
·        Three active series drivers have made their first career start at Daytona International Speedway, though none were during the July race: Kasey Kahne (2/15/04), Danica Patrick (2/27/12) and Daniel Suárez (2/26/17).
·        NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts leads the series in average starting position at Daytona with a 5.412. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in the series with a 10.200.

Poles
·        A total of 59 drivers have posted at least one pole in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona; led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough with 12 poles. Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson lead all active drivers with two each.
·        38 of the 59 drivers have posted Coors Light poles at Daytona for the July event, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough with eight.
·        Only four active drivers have posted a pole for the Daytona July race: Kevin Harvick (2002), Paul Menard (2008), Matt Kenseth (2012) and Kyle Busch (2013).
·        Fireball Roberts won the inaugural Coors Light pole for the July race at Daytona in 1959 with a speed of 144.997 mph. 
·        Three drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles for the July race at Daytona: Cale Yarborough (1969-’70; 1980-’81, 1983-’84), Sterling Marlin (1991-’92) and Dale Earnhardt (1994-’95).
·        Youngest Daytona July race pole winner: Jeff Gordon (07/06/1996 - 24 years, 11 months, 2 days); all-time track record belongs to Chase Elliott (02/21/2016 – 20 years, 2 months, 24 days).
·        Oldest Daytona pole winner: Mark Martin (07/02/2011 – 52 years, 5 months, 23 days).
·        16 different drivers have posted their first series career Coors Light pole at Daytona International Speedway – nine during Speedweeks in February and seven for the July race.  
·        Six active drivers have posted their first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light pole at Daytona International Speedway: Kevin Harvick (7/6/02), Jimmie Johnson (2/17/02), Paul Menard (7/5/08), Danica Patrick (2/24/13), Austin Dillon (2/23/14) and Chase Elliott (2/21/16).

Wins
·        61 different drivers have posted at least one series win at Daytona, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers with four wins.
·        Of the 61 drivers, 36 of them have won the July race at Daytona International Speedway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with five wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers with two.   
·        Five drivers have posted consecutive July race wins at Daytona International Speedway: Fireball Roberts (1962-1963), A.J. Foyt (1964-1965), Cale Yarborough (1967-1968) David Pearson (1972 - 1974) and Tony Stewart (2005-2006).
·        Youngest Daytona July race winner: Kyle Busch (07/01/2008 – 23 years, 2 months, 3 days); all-time track record - Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 day).
·       
Seven different manufacturers have won the July MENCS race at Daytona:
Manufacturer
Daytona July Race Wins
Chevrolet
19
Ford
18
Mercury
7
Dodge
5
Pontiac
5
Buick
3
Toyota
1

Oldest Daytona July race winner: Bobby Allison (07/04/1987 – 49 years, 7 months, 1 day); all-time track record - Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 – 50 years, 5 months, 23 days).
·        The Wood Brothers have the most wins at Daytona in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with 15; followed by Hendrick Motorsports with 14.
·        Nine of the 58 (15.5%) July Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from the first starting position; the most recent was Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2015.
·       Six of nine July race winners from the first starting position won from the Coors Light pole – the most recent to win from the Coors Light pole was Tony Stewart (July, 2005).
 
Drivers that have swept both races (Daytona 500 and the July race) at Daytona:
Fireball Roberts – 1962 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 250)
Cale Yarborough – 1968 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400)
LeeRoy Yarborough – 1969 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400)
Bobbie Allison – 1982 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400)
Jimmie Johnson – 2013 (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola)

·        The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (nine) than any other starting position in the July race at Daytona International Speedway.
·        16 of the 58 (27.5%) July Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from the front row: nine from the first starting position and seven from the second starting position.
·        29 of the 58 (50%) July Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races have been won from a top five starting position. 
·        44 of the 58 (75.9%) July Monster Energy NASCAR Cup races at Daytona have been won from a top-10 starting position.
·        Four of the 58 (6.8%) July Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from a starting position outside the top 20 – Tony Stewart (2012), Greg Biffle (2003), Bill Elliott (1988) and Bobby Isaac (1971).
·        The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Daytona is 42nd, by Tony Stewart in the 2012 July race.
·        A total of 18 drivers have posted their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona.
·        Three active Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Daytona International Speedway; two were during the July race: Aric Almirola (07/06/2014), David Ragan (07/02/2011) and Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011).
·        Kasey Kahne leads the series among active drivers with the most Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona without visiting Victory Lane at 30.

Additional Finishing Position Stats
·        Buddy Baker leads the series in runner-up finishes in the July race at Daytona with five; followed by Richard Petty and Sterling Marlin with four. Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch lead all active drivers with three each.
·        David Pearson leads the series in top-five finishes in the July race at Daytona with 13; followed by Richard Petty with 12. Kurt Busch leads all active drivers with seven.   
·        David Pearson leads the series in top-10 finishes in the July race at Daytona with 19; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 18. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kurt Busch lead all active drivers with nine each.
·        Darel Dieringer leads the series in average finishing position at Daytona with an 8.545.
·        Austin Dillon leads all active drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona with a 12.625. He also leads all active drivers in average finish in the July race with a 6.333.

Track / Event Stats
·        Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway for the July race is the July 7, 2007 event won by Jamie McMurray over Kyle Busch with a MOV of 0.005 second.
·        Below are the top five closest MOVs in the MENCS July race at Daytona
Margin of Victory
Date
Winner
Runner-Up
0.005
7/7/2007
Jamie McMurray
Kyle Busch
0.008
7/2/1994
Jimmy Spencer
Ernie Irvan
0.029
7/5/1997
John Andretti
Terry Labonte
0.092
7/3/2010
Kevin Harvick
Kasey Kahne
0.104
7/6/1996
Sterling Marlin
Terry Labonte

·        Six of the MENCS July races at Daytona have resulted with NASCAR Overtime:
Date
Scheduled No. of Laps
Actual No. of Laps
NASCAR Overtime Laps
Winner
7/2/2016
160
161
1
Brad Keselowski
7/5/2015
160
161
1
Dale Earnhardt Jr
7/6/2013
160
161
1
Jimmie Johnson
7/2/2011
160
170
10
David Ragan
7/3/2010
160
166
6
Kevin Harvick
7/5/2008
160
162
2
Kyle Busch

·        Only two of the 58 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series July races at Daytona International Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:
Date
Scheduled No. of Laps
Actual No. of Laps
No. of Laps Less
Winner
7/6/2014
160
112
-48
Aric Almirola
7/6/1996
160
117
-43
Sterling Marlin

·        Qualifying for the July race has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway four times: 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2015.   
·        Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Daytona with 1,286 laps led in 46 starts.
·        Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active series drivers in laps led at Daytona with 601 in 35 starts. 
·        NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the series in laps led in the July races at Daytona with 644 laps led in 22 starts.
·        Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series among active drivers in laps led in the July race at Daytona with 339; followed Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch with 137 laps led each.
·        Fewest laps led by a July race winner at Daytona is one lap led by Jimmy Spencer in 1994.
·        The fewest laps led by an active July race winner at Daytona are three laps led by Jamie McMurray in 2007.

Female Competitor Stats At Daytona
·        A total of six female drivers have competed in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona. Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie, Christine Beckers, Lella Lombardi, Patty Moise and Shawna Robinson. All six have competed in the July race.
·        Janet Guthrie was the first female competitor to race at Daytona International Speedway in 1976. She started 33rd and raced her way up to a 15th-place finish.
·        Below is a look at the female drivers in the July race at DIS.
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Driver Rating
Date
Danica Patrick
22
27
44.7
7/2/2016
Danica Patrick
27
35
50.5
7/5/2015
Danica Patrick
29
8
86.8
7/6/2014
Danica Patrick
11
14
80.9
7/6/2013
Averages
22.3
21.0
65.7
 
     
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
 
Shawna Robinson
27
40
7/6/2002
 
     
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
 
Patty Moise
35
39
7/1/1989
 
Patty Moise
33
26
7/2/1988
 
Averages
34
32.5
  
     
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
 
Janet Guthrie
36
11
7/4/1978
 
Janet Guthrie
20
40
7/4/1977
 
Janet Guthrie
33
15
7/4/1976
 
Averages
29.7
22
  
     
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
 
Christine Beckers
37
37
7/4/1977
 
     
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
 
Lella Lombardi
29
31
7/4/1977
 


NASCAR in Florida
·        There has been a total of 317 NASCAR national series races in the state of Florida among 10 different tracks.
Track Name
City
MENCS
NXS
NCWTS
Total Races
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach
140
51
18
272
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead
18
22
21
67
Daytona Beach & Road Course
Daytona Beach
10
0
0
10
Palm Beach Speedway
W. Palm Beach
7
0
0
7
Speedway Park
Jacksonville
6
0
0
6
Volusia County Speedway
Barberville
0
4
0
4
Walt Disney World Speedway
Orlando
0
0
2
2
Five Flags Speedway
Pensacola
1
0
0
1
Golden Gate Speedway
Tampa
1
0
0
1
Titusville-Cocoa Speedway
Titusville
1
0
0
1
Totals

184
77
41
371
·        The first NASCAR premiere series race in the state of Florida was held at the Daytona Beach & Road Course on 7/10/1949. The 40 lap event was won by Red Byron (Oldsmobile, 80.883 mph).

Florida Drivers In NASCAR
·        177 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Florida; 11 of the 177 (6.5%) have recorded at least one victory in NASCAR national series competition.
·        Eight Florida drivers have won in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series; led by Fireball Roberts with 33.
·        Of the eight Florida native drivers who have won in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, only Fireball Roberts, LeeRoy Yarborough and Aric Almirola have won the July race at Daytona.
 
Driver
MENCS
NXS
NCWTS
1
Fireball Roberts
33
0
0
2
LeeRoy Yarbrough
14
0
0
3
Marshall Teague
7
0
0
4
Joe Nemechek
4
16
0
5
Bobby Johns
2
0
0
6
David Reutimann
2
1
1
7
Aric Almirola
1
3
2
8
Shorty Rollins
1
0
0
9
Rick Wilson
0
2
0
10
Joey Coulter
0
0
1
11
Ben Kennedy
0
0
1



Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Milestones
Drivers
Has
Needs
Milestones
Dale Earnhardt Jr
748
2
To become the 29th driver to start 750 or more NASCAR national series races
Jimmie Johnson
83
1
Tie Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for fourth on MENCS all-time wins list
Kyle Busch
38
1
Tie Tim Flock (39) for 18th on all-time MENCS wins list
Matt Kenseth
38
1
Tie Tim Flock (39) for 18th on all-time MENCS wins list
Kevin Harvick
36
1
Tie Bobby Isaac (37) for 21st on MENCS all-time wins list
Kurt Busch
29
3
Tie Dale Jarrett (32) for 24th on all-time MENCS wins list
Denny Hamlin
29
3
Tie Dale Jarrett (32) for 24th on all-time MENCS wins list
Brad Keselowski
23
2
Tie Joe Weatherly, Jim Paschal (25) for 31st on all-time MENCS wins list
Ryan Newman
51
3
Tie Bill Elliott for eighth on the all-time MENCS poles list
Jimmie Johnson
35
1
Tie Rusty Wallace and Rex White for 17th on all-time MENCS poles list
Kasey Kahne
27
1
Break the tie with Terry Labonte to become solely 25th on all-time MENCS poles list
Denny Hamlin
24
1
Break the tie with Alan Kulwicki to become solely 28th on all-time MENCS poles list
Kevin Harvick
49
1
Become the 10th MENCS driver to post 50 or more second-place finishes
Jimmie Johnson
46
2
Tie Lee Petty for 11th on all-time MENCS second-place finishes list
Matt Kenseth
29
1
Tie Ricky Rudd for 25th on all-time MENCS second-place finishes list
Matt Kenseth
174
2
Tie Bill Elliott for 19th on the all-time MENCS top-five finishes list
Dale Earnhardt Jr
149
1
To become the 24th driver to post 150 or more MENCS top-five finishes
AJ Allmendinger
49
1
To post his 50th career MENCS top-10 finish
Jimmie Johnson
18,630
370
To become the ninth driver in series history to lead 19,000 or more laps
Matt Kenseth
11,498
502
To become the 15th MENCS driver all-time to lead 12,000 or more laps
Kevin Harvick
10,779
221
To become 17th MENCS driver all-time to lead 11,000 or more laps
Kurt Busch
8,867
133
To become 20th MENCS driver all-time to lead 9,000 or more laps
Ryan Newman
4,739
261
To become 40th MENCS driver all-time to lead 5,000 or more laps