Daytona International Speedway Track Facts: 2016 Daytona 500

Joe Gibbs Racing hasn't won Daytona 500 since 1993 with Dale Jarrett.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final 2015 Top 16 at Daytona International Speedway

	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish	Driver Rating
1	Kyle Busch	21	1	1	5	6	5	19	94.4
2	Kevin Harvick	29	1	2	8	13	3	15.8	82.4
4	Martin Truex Jr	21	1	0	0	2	5	23.2	77.2
5	Carl Edwards	22	1	0	4	8	3	20.2	80.2
6	Joey Logano	14	0	1	3	4	2	18.6	83.4
7	Brad Keselowski	13	0	0	2	3	4	22.3	74.9
8	Kurt Busch	29	0	0	12	15	1	17.1	90.3
9	Denny Hamlin	20	0	0	5	6	1	18	88.7
10	Jimmie Johnson	28	2	3	11	14	6	16.9	89.2
11	Ryan Newman	28	0	1	4	7	5	20.5	77.2
12	Dale Earnhardt Jr	32	1	4	13	19	3	12.7	93.7
13	Jamie McMurray	26	0	2	3	5	8	23.3	79.7
14	Paul Menard	17	1	0	0	3	2	20	71.8
15	Matt Kenseth	32	1	2	6	14	5	18	89.5
16	Clint Bowyer	20	0	0	3	10	3	15.2	83.4

Note: Driver Rating from races at Daytona International Speedway from 2005-2015.

Daytona International Speedway Data

Race #: 1 of 36 (2-21-16)

Track Size: 2.5 miles

Race Length: 500 miles (200 laps)

Banking/Corners: 31 degrees

Banking/Straights: 3 degrees

Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Daytona

Kyle Busch                   94.4     

Dale Earnhardt Jr.         93.7

Kurt Busch                    90.3

Matt Kenseth                 89.5

Jimmie Johnson            89.2

Denny Hamlin                88.7

Clint Bowyer                  83.4

Joey Logano                 83.4

Kasey Kahne                 83.0

Kevin Harvick                82.4

Note: Driver Ratings are compiled from 2005-2015 races (22 total) at Daytona (active drivers only).

Qualifying/Race Data

2015 pole winner: Jeff Gordon

(201.293 mph, 44.711 seconds)

2015 race winner: Joey Logano (161.939 mph, 2-22-15)

Qualifying record: Bill Elliott

(210.364 mph, 42.783 secs. 2-9-87)

Race record: Buddy Baker

(177.602 mph, 2-17-80)

Daytona 500 Tidbits

·         The 2016 edition will be the 58th running of the Daytona 500.

·         Although the first Daytona 500 was held in 1959, it has been the season-opener only since 1982.

Starts

·         533 drivers have competed in at least one Daytona 500; 318 in more than one.

·         Dave Marcis leads the series all-time in Daytona 500 starts with 33; followed by NASCAR Hall of FamersRichard Petty (32) and Terry Labonte (32).

·         Michael Waltrip leads all active NSCS drivers in Daytona 500 starts with 28; followed by Tony Stewart (17),Dale Earnhardt Jr. (16) and Matt Kenseth (16).

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series among active drivers in average starting position (6.063).

·         12 different manufacturers have made at least one start in the Daytona 500: Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Toyota, Plymouth, Mercury, Chrysler, American Motors Company and Studebaker

Poles

·         40 different drivers have won a Coors Light pole for the Daytona 500; led by Bill Elliott, Cale Yarborough andBuddy Baker with four each.

·         Only nine drivers have posted more than one Coors Light pole for the Daytona 500; Jimmie Johnson (two) is the only active driver with more than one Daytona 500 pole.

·         Chase Elliott has become the youngest Daytona 500 pole winner at the age of 20 years, 2 months, 17 days.

·         Hendrick Motorsports has won 10 Daytona 500 poles, the series most: Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990), Jeff Gordon (1999, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (2002, 2008), Mark Martin (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011) and Chase Elliott (2016).

·         Chevrolet leads the series in Daytona 500 poles with 24.

Wins

·         36 different drivers have won a Daytona 500.

·         Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by 2 feet.

·         Youngest Daytona 500 winner: Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 - 20 years, 0 months, 1 days)

·         Oldest Daytona 500 winner: Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 - 50 years, 2 months, 11 days)

·         Seven drivers posted their career-first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory with a win in the Daytona 500.

Drivers	Seasons
Tiny Lund	1963
Mario Andretti	1967
Pete Hamilton	1970
Derrike Cope	1990
Sterling Marlin	1994
Michael Waltrip	2001
Trevor Bayne	2011

·         Three other drivers posted their career-first victory in (points-paying) qualifying races: Johnny Rutherford (1963),Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).

·         Lee Petty, who won the inaugural Daytona 500, and Trevor Bayne, 2011 Daytona 500 champion, are the only two drivers to win the Daytona 500 in their first appearance.

·         11 drivers have won more than one Daytona 500, led by Richard Petty with seven victories.

The 11 Drivers With Multiple Daytona 500 Wins
No. of Wins	Drivers	Seasons
7	Richard Petty	1964	1966	1971	1973	1974	1979	1981
4	Cale Yarborough	1968	1977	1983	1984
3	Bobby Allison	1978	1982	1988
3	Dale Jarrett	1993	1996	2000
3	Jeff Gordon	1997	1999	2005
2	Bill Elliott	1985	1987
2	Sterling Marlin	1994	1995
2	Michael Waltrip	2001	2003
2	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2004	2014
2	Jimmie Johnson	2006	2013
2	Matt Kenseth	2009	2012

·         A driver has won back-to-back Daytona 500s three times. Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95).

·         Active Daytona 500 winners and the number of NSCS starts in their careers when they won:

No. of Wins	Drivers	Seasons	Career Start
2	Michael Waltrip	2001	463
		2003	535
2	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2004	148
		2014	506
2	Jimmie Johnson	2006	148
		2013	400
2	Matt Kenseth	2009	329
		2012	437
1	Kevin Harvick	2007	215
1	Ryan Newman	2008	225
1	Jamie McMurray	2010	259
1	Trevor Bayne	2011	2
1	Joey Logano	2015	220

·         The Daytona 500 has been won from the pole position nine times; Bill Elliott (1985, 1987) and Cale Yarborough(1968, 1984) are the only two drivers to accomplish the feat more than once. Dale Jarrett was the most recent driver to win from the pole in 2000.

Season	Driver
1962	Fireball Roberts
1966	Richard Petty
1968	Cale Yarborough
1980	Buddy Baker
1984	Cale Yarborough
1985	Bill Elliott
1987	Bill Elliott
1999	Jeff Gordon
2000	Dale Jarrett

Wins

·         The pole position is the most proficient starting position in the Daytona 500 field, producing more winners (nine) than any other position; followed by second-place (seven wins) and fourth-place (seven wins).

·         16 of the 57 Daytona 500s (28.1%) have been won from the front row; nine from the pole position and seven from the second-place position.

·         28 of the 57 Daytona 500s (49.1%) have been won from a top five starting position.

·         42 of the 57 Daytona 500s (73.6%) have been won from a top 10 starting position

·         Five of the 57 Daytona 500s (.08%) have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.

·         Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500 from the 39th starting position in 2009, the deepest a race winner has started.

·         Five reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions have gone on to win the Daytona 500 the following season:Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty (1973), Cale Yarborough (1977), Jeff Gordon (1999) and Dale Jarrett (2000).

Five Drivers Have Won the Daytona 500 and the       NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship In The Same Season
Drivers	Seasons
Richard Petty	1964	1971	1974	1979
Jimmie Johnson	2006	2013
Lee Petty	1959
Cale Yarborough	1977
Jeff Gordon	1997

·         A driver has swept both the Daytona 500 and the July race only five times at Daytona International Speedway:Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) andFireball Roberts (1962).

·         Six drivers made 10 or more attempts before their first Daytona 500 victory: Dale Earnhardt (19), Buddy Baker(18), Darrell Waltrip (16), Bobby Allison (14), Michael Waltrip (14) and Sterling Marlin (12).

·         The driver with the all-time most Daytona 500 starts without a victory is Dave Marcis with 33 races; Tony Stewart (17), Kurt Busch (14) and Greg Biffle (13) lead all active drivers with the most Daytona 500 starts without a Daytona 500 win.  

·         Driver Ratings for Winners – Pre-Race Daytona 500 Driver Ratings heading into 2016 for past Daytona 500 winners (past 5 years)

Driver – Year – Driver Rating

o    Joey Logano – 2015 – 82.5

o    Dale Earnhardt Jr – 2014 – 89.7

o    Jimmie Johnson – 2013 – 82.8

o    Matt Kenseth – 2012 – 89.0

o    Trevor Bayne – 2011 – 68.9

Wins

·         Drivers who have won the Daytona 500 in more than one car manufacturer:

Driver – Manufacturer (Number of wins in that manufacturer)

o    Richard Petty – Plymouth (3), Dodge (2), Oldsmobile (1) and Buick (1)

o    Cale Yarborough – Chevrolet (2), Mercury (1) and Pontiac (1)

o    Bobby Allison – Buick (2) and Ford (1)

o    Dale Jarrett – Ford (2) and Chevrolet (1)

·         Drivers who have won The Sprint Unlimited and the Daytona 500 in the same season:

Driver – (Year)

o    Bobby Allison (1982)

o    Bill Elliott (1987)

o    Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)

o    Jeff Gordon (1997)

·         Car Numbers that have produced three or more Daytona 500 victories:

Car Number – Drivers – (Years)

o    No. 43 – Richard Petty (1964, ’66, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’79, ‘81)

o    No. 21 – Tiny Lund (1963), Cale Yarborough (1968), A.J. Foyt (1972), David Pearson (1976) and Trevor Bayne (2011)

o    No. 28 – Fred Lorenzen (1965), Buddy Baker (1980), Cale Yarborough (1983 and 1984) and Davey Allison (1992)

o    No. 4 – Ernie Irvan (1991), Sterling Marlin (1994 and 1995)

o    No. 15 – Bobby Allison (1978), Michael Waltrip (2001 and 2003)

o    No. 17 – Darrell Waltrip (1989), Matt Kenseth (2009 and 2012)

o    No. 88 – Bobby Allison (1982), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014)

o    No. 24 – Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999 and 2005)

Additional Finishing Positions

·         Dale Earnhardt leads the series in runner-up finishes in the Daytona 500 with five; Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers with four (Earnhardt Jr. is tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough for second most all-time with four).

·         Dale Earnhardt had 12 top fives in his 23 Daytona 500 starts, more than any other driver.

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-five finishes with eight (Earnhardt Jr. is tied withBenny Parsons, Bobby Allison and Buddy Baker for fifth most-all-time).

·         Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty each posted a series leading 16 top 10s in the Daytona 500.

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-10 finishes with 10.

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in average finish in the Daytona 500 with a 12.1 (16 appearances)

Female Competitors

·         Danica Patrick on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2013 became the first female in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history to win a Coors Light pole for the Daytona 500 posting a speed of 196.434 mph.

·         Janet Guthrie previously held the record for top starting position by a female NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, starting ninth twice in 1977 - at Talladega Superspeedway on Aug. 7, 1977 and at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1977.

·         In 2012, Danica Patrick became the third female driver to compete in a Daytona 500 joining Janet Guthrie andShawna Robinson. Below are the previous female driver performances in the Daytona 500.

Race	Season	Driver	Start	Finish
Daytona 500	1977	Janet Guthrie	39	12
Daytona 500	1980	Janet Guthrie	18	11
Daytona 500	2002	Shawna Robinson	36	24
Daytona 500	2012	Danica Patrick	29	38
Daytona 500	2013	Danica Patrick	1	8
Daytona 500	2014	Danica Patrick	27	40
Daytona 500	2015	Danica Patrick	20	21

Track / Daytona 500 Specific Stats

·         Kevin Harvick’s 0.020-second margin of victory over Mark Martin in the 2007 Daytona 500 is the 12th-closest overall since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, and the closest in a Daytona 500.

·         NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has led the most laps in a single Daytona 500; leading 184 laps in the 1964 Daytona 500.

·         Jamie McMurray has led the fewest laps in a Daytona 500 and won - in 2010, McMurray only led two laps on his way to win the Daytona 500.

·         2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time lead changes with 74.

·         2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time leaders with 22.

·         2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time Cautions with 16.

·         1968 and 2011 Daytona 500s had the most all-time Caution Laps with 60 laps each.

·         The Daytona 500 has finished under Green/White/Checkered conditions seven times: 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

·         Due to the overtime rules in NASCAR the longest Daytona 500 ever run was the 2010 and 2011 Daytona 500s both went 208 laps/520 miles – eight laps and 20 miles more than the scheduled distance.

·         The largest field to compete in the Daytona 500 was 68 cars in the 1960 race.

Statistical Look At 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 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.

·         2016 will mark the next phase in the existence of Daytona International Speedway as the Daytona Rising project is completed, ushering in the first ‘motorsports stadium’, a 400-million dollar project.

Notebook

·         There have been 137 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 57 have been 500 miles, 53 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.

·         Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.

·         59 drivers have posted poles at Daytona – including Chase Elliott 2016 Daytona 500 pole winner.

·         Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona.

·         Jimmie Johnson and Bobby Labonte lead all active drivers with two poles at Daytona.

·         58 different drivers have won at Daytona.

·         Richard Petty leads all drivers in points-paying victories at Daytona with 10.

·         The Wood Brothers have won 15 races at Daytona, more than any other car owner.

·         18 full-length races at Daytona have been won from the pole; the last to do it was Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the 2015 July race.

NASCAR in Florida

·         There have been 180 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races among eight race tracks held in the state of Florida.

Track Name	City	NSCS
Daytona International Speedway	Daytona Beach	137
Homestead-Miami Speedway	Homestead	17
Daytona Beach & Road Course	Daytona Beach	10
Palm Beach Speedway	W. Palm Beach	7
Speedway Park	Jacksonville	6
Five Flags Speedway	Pensacola	1
Golden Gate Speedway	Tampa	1
Titusville-Cocoa Speedway	Titusville	1

·         163 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series have their home state recorded as Florida.

·         There have been 10 race winners with their home state recorded as Florida in NASCAR’s three national series:

Driver	NSCS	NXS	NCWTS
Fireball Roberts	33	0	0
LeeRoy Yarbrough	14	0	0
Marshall Teague	7	0	0
Joe Nemechek	4	16	0
Bobby Johns	2	0	0
David Reutimann	2	1	1
Aric Almirola	1	1	2
Shorty Rollins	1	0	0
Rick Wilson	0	2	0
Joey Coulter	0	0	1

Carl Edwards feeling confident for 500 after Unlimited

Carl Edwards is 15/1 to win his first plate race Sunday.

Carl Edwards / No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Preview
Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

No. 19 ARRIS Toyota News and Notes:

Edwards is paired up with crew chief Dave Rogers for the 2016 season at Joe Gibbs Racing. Rogers worked with Denny Hamlin last season and is looking forward to 2016 with Edwards. The duo has high expectations for their first season together heading into the Super Bowl of NASCAR for the 58th running of the annual Great American Race, the Daytona 500.

Edwards and the No. 19 ARRIS team ran very fast during the Sprint Unlimited non-points race last Saturday, but unfortunately got caught up in a big wreck with 3 laps to go which sent them to the garage. All the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camrys had speed. The No.19 ARRIS team had a strong showing in the Sprint Unlimited and was a good gauge of the team’s chemistry, elevating the enthusiasm and expectations for the “Big Show”.

In 11 Sprint Cup Series starts at the Daytona 500, Edwards was the pole sitter for 2012 and pushed Trevor Bayne across the finish line, finishing second in 2011. He has one top-five and three top-ten finishes for the February race at the prestigious Florida track. He did win the Truck Series race there in 2004.

RACE INFO: The Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile) begins at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 21st. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.

Edwards’ Career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
409	25	115	202	16	5218	$79,137,653	14.8	13.5

From the Cockpit:

Carl Edwards: “We are headed to Daytona 500. We’ve had fast race cars all week. Joe Gibbs Racing has worked really hard over the winter and it really shows. I had a lot of fun racing in the Sprint Unlimited. It was really neat to see Denny Hamlin out in front and stay out there. We are hoping to get out front in the duel qualifier and the 500. We have ARRIS on board, they are a huge part of our team and they are going to have a lot of people at the 500. Everyone I talk to is excited about the race, Daytona Rising and everything going on at the track. There is a real buzz and a lot of people I know are packing up and headed south to see the race, so we want to put on a good show for them. This is my 11th 500 and I couldn’t be more excited about the event. I have a new crew chief and a bunch of new guys and I have really had a good time working with them. We have fast race cars, we qualified well, cars drive well and they have a ton of speed. We are just going to have a good time and enjoy it.”

From the Pit Box:

Dave Rogers: “Of course we were aiming for a front row starting spot in the Daytona 500, but I’m still proud of the effort our ARRIS crew put together so far during speed weeks. I’m most excited about the fact that Joe Gibbs Racing is the only organization to put all four team cars in the top 10 during 500 qualifying. This is a testament to the hard work put forward by the guys back at the shop and our partners at Toyota Racing Development (TRD). It’s exciting going into the Duels knowing that our cars have raw speed.”

- Joe Gibbs Racing

Matt Kenseth going for third Daytona 500 win

Matt Kenseth is 10/1 to win Daytona 500....starts on front row.

Matt Kenseth / No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Preview
DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway

No. 20 Dollar General Toyota News and Notes:

TWO-TIME LOOKING FOR THREE: Two-time DAYTONA 500 Champion, Matt Kenseth returns to the 2.5-mile superspeedway as one of only 11 drivers in NASCAR history who have won this prestigious race more than once. Kenseth will look to return to victory lane at the historic track in the sport’s most esteemed race for the third time in his career. Kenseth’s two DAYTONA 500 wins came in 2009 and 2012; could 2016 be his chance at a three-peat?

JOE GIBBS RACING AT DAYTONA: Joe Gibbs Racing has 107 Sprint Cup Series starts at Daytona earning a total of four wins, 23 top-five, and 35 top-ten finishes. The organization also has led for a total of 1,313 laps, has an average start of 16.2 and an average finish of 19.9 at the 2.5-mile historic high-banked track.

DOLLAR GENERAL PARTNER SUPPORT: Dollar General would like to thank vendor partners All, Angel Soft, Betty Crocker, Bugles, Clorox, Colgate, Doritos, Energizer, Gatorade, Hamburger Helper, Hefty, Herbal Essences, Honey Nut Cheerios, M&M’s, Old Spice, Pepsi AMP Boosted, Purex, Snickers, Snuggle, Stacker 2 and Twix for their support of the DG Racing program.

RACE INFO: The DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile) begins at 1:00 p.m. ET onSunday, February 21. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.

Kenseth’s 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
36	5	12	20	4	927	$6,806,416	11.5	14.3

Kenseth’s Career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
578	36	163	290	17	10,382	$113,970,664	17.8	14.1

From the Cockpit:

Matt Kenseth: “We’re fortunate heading into the DAYTONA 500 because we have so many practices and events that let us have time to get our cars up to speed leading up to that race. When we all head to Daytona, everyone has been off for a bit and I think that we’re all just chomping at the bit to get back racing again. It’s really nice that we’re able to knock the rust off a bit and get a few pit stops under our belts as well leading up to the race. The DAYTONA 500 is the biggest stock car race in the world and everyone wants to win it, so there’s always a lot of excitement from everyone as we start the season with our biggest race on the schedule. I’m really looking forward to getting the 2016 season started this weekend.”

From the Pit Box:

Jason Ratcliff: “The Duel races are unique but they provide you with an opportunity to learn what you have for the (DAYTONA) 500 since it’s the same car you run in that race. Every year that we go back to Daytona, we try something new because we’ve just seemed to fall a little short in the past. We’ve been there in position, run well, come down to the last pit stop and had an opportunity, but we just haven’t been able to close the deal. We’re close though and I feel that we’ve always been in contention for the most part so that’s always promising. Approaching Daytona is truly the same as any other week because we work on our race cars to make sure they’re always the best they can be, and you work on your race strategy as well. In the end, Daytona is one of those tracks where you’re vulnerable and you’re at the mercy of everyone around you. Sometimes it all works out, but not always, so it’s one place that you have so many things out of your control.”

- Joe Gibbs Racing

Denny Hamlin usually in good position to win Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin is now 10/1 to win Daytona 500....15/1 last week. 

Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Express Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing

Race Info:
Race: Daytona 500
Date/Time: Feb. 21/1 p.m. ET
Distance: 200 laps/500 miles
Track Length: 2.5 miles
Track Shape: Tri-oval
Banking: 31 degrees
2015 Winner: Joey Logano

Express Notes:
Daytona Success: Hamlin was victorious in Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway, leading a race-high 39 of 75 laps for his third-career win in the unofficial season opening event. Hamlin sustained right door damage after an early incident at the back of the draft pack, but it proved only to be cosmetic, as quick work by the FedEx crew on pit road returned the #11 FedEx Express Toyota to the track. Hamlin and new crew chief Mike Wheeler elected to pit for fuel under green on Lap 22, and immediately benefited from a caution to make up the lost track position and inherit the lead. Hamlin held off a host of hard-chargers for the remaining laps, crossing the finish line first under caution after an overtime restart. Hamlin also won the race as a rookie in 2006 and again in 2014.

Great American Race: Hamlin and the FedEx team are looking for their first points-paying victory at the ‘World Center of Racing’ in Sunday’s Daytona 500. Hamlin has four-straight top-six finishes at the high-banked, 2.5-mile track dating back to a runner-up finish in the 2014 Daytona 500, and finished fourth in the race one year ago. In 20 career Cup starts at Daytona, Hamlin has led 267 laps.

Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Races: 20
Wins: 0
Top-5: 5
Top-10: 6
Laps Led: 267
Avg. Start: 19.2
Avg. Finish: 18.0

Hamlin Conversation:

How do you build on Saturday’s win heading into Sunday’s Daytona 500?
“We have certainly shown that we have the speed in the car that we need to win at Daytona. It’s just a matter of putting it all together in the big race on Sunday. We have put ourselves in position to win the Daytona 500 the last few years, but it hasn’t all come together yet. There are so many other variables involved that need to go your way to win the 500, and hopefully they will come together for our FedEx team this weekend.

FedEx Office – Closest to Daytona International Speedway: 2274 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 323-7840

#11 FedEx Racing – 2016 Crew Roster
Crew Chief – Mike “Wheels” Wheeler
Car Chief – Leo Thorsen
Engineers – Matt Beckman, Sam McAuley
Shock Specialist – Drew Bible
Tire Specialist – Kerry Ferris
Mechanics – Troy Welty, John Furino, Sean Kerlin
Spotter – Chris Lambert
Front Tire Changer: Dustin Necaise
Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram
Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks
Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry
Jack Man: Nate Bolling
Gas Man: Caleb Hurd
Pit Crew Coordinator: Paul Alepa
Athletic Director: Mike Lepp
Transportation – Frank Hodel, David Ott

- Weber Shandwick Worldwide for FedEx Racing

Denny Hamlin wins his third Sprint Unlimited

Denny Hamlin was 15/1 to win Saturday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Joe Gibbs Racing opened a new season exactly where it left off last year: On top of the podium.

Denny Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited — the kickoff to Speedweeks — on Saturday night to give JGR its third consecutive win in the exhibition race. JGR drivers have actually won the Unlimited in four of the last five years, and Hamlin has three victories since 2006.

Hamlin overcame early damage to his Toyota to score his first victory with new crew chief Mike Wheeler, who was a longtime engineer for the No. 11 team before his promotion. Wheeler gambled on fuel strategy, a luxury he had because the results of the race have no meaning, and spent most of the closing laps encouraging Hamlin to save fuel.


"I don't know if he was poised. He was poised on the radio," Hamlin said about the crew chief. "We've got such a young team, crew chief, engineers, they all look like they're a bunch of high school kids."

Winning this exhibition race doesn't always translate into Daytona 500 success. The last driver to win the opening race and the 500 was Dale Jarrett in 2000.

Joey Logano, last year's Daytona 500 winner, finished second in a Ford and was followed by Paul Menard, Kyle Larson and Casey Mears, all in Chevrolets.

Read More here.....AP

Sprint Unlimited Results

Earnhardt Jr. favored in 2016 Sprint Unlimited, but value is with JGR

The Joe Gibbs drivers have won three of past four Sprint Unlimited races.

LAS VEGAS -- The first green flag of 2016 drops Saturday night for the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway — a non-points, 75-lap dash with only 25 drivers eligible. Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes in as the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook's 6-to-1 favorite, but we think there are a couple other drivers that offers better value, beginning with all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers.

What's not to like about JGR in the short Saturday night special format? They've got thing things figured out at Daytona, winning three of the past four Sprint Unlimited's. It's the longer race the following week that has somehow eluded them.

"Yeah, it seems like we’ve won just about everything under the sun when it comes to those exhibition races or the duel races or the unlimiteds, and we just haven’t won the 500." Denny Hamlin said two weeks ago during a teleconference. "It’s coming. I mean, we know that it’s bound to happen. We’ve had a lot of guys in position to win over the last 10 years since I’ve been there. I think we’ve finished in the top 5 three of the last four or five races, something like that."

It's actually sixth or better for Hamlin in his past four points-paying Daytona starts (3.75 average finish), including runner-up in the 2014 Daytona 500. The week before the runner-up he won the Sprint Unlimited for the second time in his career. If you look at the Westgate odds board this week, Hamlin is sitting at fat 15-to-1, which we consider as the top value of the week. But all the Gibbs drivers offer value, including their unofficial teammate Martin Truex Jr. (15-1), whose Furniture Row No. 78 will now essentially be a JGR Toyota — they'll be using actual 2015 JGR race used chassis.

Read More here....Updated Sprint Unlimited odds

Goodyear Tire Notes for 2016 Daytona Speedweeks

Same tire combination they've used at Daytona since July, 2013

GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series — Sprint Unlimited
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series — Race No. 1 – Daytona 500
NASCAR Xfinity Series — Race No. 1 – PowerShares QQQ 300
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – Race No. 1 – NextEra Energy Resources 250
Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile oval) – Daytona Beach, Fla.

Fast Facts for February 12-21, 2016

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Superspeedway Radials

Set limits: Unlimited: 6 sets for the event;
Daytona 500: 10 sets for practice/qualifying/Duels; 9 sets for the race;
Xfinity: 5 sets for the event;
Camping World Truck: 4 sets for the event

Tire Codes: Left-side — D-4596; Right-side — D-4600

Tire Circumference: Left-side — 87.91 in. (2,233 mm); Right-side — 88.39 in. (2,245 mm)

Minimum Recommended Inflation: Left Front — 27 psi; Left Rear — 27 psi;
Right Front — 50 psi; Right Rear — 48 psi

Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Daytona throughout Speedweeks . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that these teams have run at Daytona since July 2013 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Daytona . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

Goodyear Blimp: Goodyear’s “Wingfoot One,” based out of Pompano Beach. Fla., will be in the air over Daytona International Speedway throughout Speedweeks . . . the ship will be a part of Fox and Fox Sports 1’s television coverage of the Sprint Unlimited and Sprint Cup qualifying during the first week, and the Can-Am Duel and the Camping World Truck, Xfinity and Sprint Cup races during the second week.

Follow us on Twitter: @GoodyearRacing.

For more information: www.racegoodyear.com.

- Goodyear Racing

Martin Truex Jr., JGR alliance begins with 2016 Sprint Unlimited

Truex Jr. is 15/1 to win on Saturday night.

2016 NASCAR Season Officially Opens with Invitational Race Saturday Night at Daytona International Speedway

DENVER (Feb. 9, 2016) — Martin Truex Jr.’s performance in last year’s Sprint Unlimited — the opening NASCAR Cup race of Daytona Speedweeks — turned out to be a sneak peek for the success the Furniture Row Racing driver enjoyed in 2015.

The 35-year-old New Jersey native finished second in the Unlimited after leading a race high of 28 laps in the 75-lap non-points event at Daytona International Speedway. That was 27 more laps than he led the entire 2014 season, his first year with the single-car team based out of Denver, Colo.

“After an uneventful 2014 season, last year’s Sprint Unlimited gave us a big lift,” said Truex. “It told us that we could be competitive, lead laps and race against the best of the best.”

It could also be said that Truex’s runner-up finish in the Unlimited was the springboard for his career best season. He went on to claim 14 top-10 finishes in the first 15 point races, a victory at the June Pocono race and a Chase march to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He finished fourth in the final point standings, a vault of 20 positions from 2014.

After a relaxing offseason that included outdoor activities from hunting to water skiing, Truex says he feels invigorated as he prepares to tackle a new season starting with Saturday night’s (Feb. 13) Sprint Unlimited at the 2.5-mile oval. Truex earned a berth in the 25-driver Unlimited field as a result of qualifying for last year’s Chase and also as a former Daytona 500 pole winner.

“We’ve had our offseason and now it’s time to go racing,” noted Truex. “After what we accomplished last year and having a new manufacturer (Toyota), a new partner in Bass Pro Shops and a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, how can you not feel excited and confident about 2016?”

He added, “Actually I feel really good about what we have, and am much more confident entering this season than last year. However, what we accomplished last year there’s a lot of expectations to live up to. We have great new partners in Toyota and Bass Pro Shops. I’ve had very good experiences with both of them in the past and admire how much they put into their racing programs. Right now it’s all about making the transition of having a new manufacturer and a new technical alliance. We’re having new cars built and it will be up to us to figure them out. We obviously want to keep the learning curve very short.”

Following the Unlimited race, the Daytona Speedweeks schedule includes the Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying (Sunday, Feb. 14), Daytona 500 qualifying races (Thursday night, Feb. 18) and the opening points race – the Daytona 500 (Sunday, Feb. 21).

“It’s always a special feeling to be at Daytona International Speedway opener and I am sure it will be even more special this year with the major improvements made to the facility.”

Truex will drive the No. 78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Toyota in the Sprint Unlimited. At all the other events at Daytona Speedweeks he will drive the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota.

Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited will be aired on FOX, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. FOX will also air Sunday’s Pole Day qualifying at 1 p.m. ET.

Truex’s Sprint Unlimited Results 

Year	Event	Start	Finish	Status/Laps	Laps Led	Earnings
2008	Sprint Unlimited	9	21	Crash, 47/70	0	31,818
2012	Sprint Unlimited	1	19	Crash, 54/82	7	25,025
2013	Sprint Unlimited	6	9	Running, 75/75	2	44,525
2015	Sprint Unlimited	10	2	Running, 75/75	28	84,475

Sprint Unlimited Totals

Races	Win	T5	T10	Pole	Laps Led	AvgSt	AvgFn	DNF	Money
4	0	2	2	1	37	6.5	12.75	2	185,843

- DMF Communications for Furniture Row Racing

2016 Sprint Unlimited Preview: Think Gibbs again

How about some Hamlin at 15/1?

LAS VEGAS -- It seems like an eternity since I've heard the beautiful sounds of multiple NASCAR Sprint Cup engines purring while running at max RPM's. I know it's only been since November when they last ran, but something is embedded in my system as a NASCAR fan where I need that weekly NASCAR fix, and it almost burns when I don't get it.

Finally, the wait is over. It’s time to go racing again and my first fix of 2016 is Saturday night with the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway.

My first real joy begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET when the 25 eligible drivers for the 75 lap non-points race have their first practice. It’s like spring training -- the dawning of a new year. Some wait for the rodent in Pennsylvania to come out of his hole and brilliantly tell them it'll be winter longer, but I know my spring and summer is coming as soon as I hear those badass cars for the first time in practice.

As with most restrictor-plate races, the practices mean very little, and I’ll gain really nothing from watching it. It’s almost like a waste of 55 minutes and then I’ll watch another one an hour later for the final 55-minute session just to hear people talking NASCAR again. For me, it's better than being a kid again and waiting up all night for Santa Claus. Yes, as you can tell, I‘ll be pumped for those couple of meaningless practice sessions. The Broncos cap goes back on the hat rack, and the No. 3 camouflage hat comes back out.

New season. Opening day. Love it.

Of course, if I’m going to watch the race I’ve got to have some action on it, right? The thing I like about the Sprint Unlimited is that it’s a short race with only 75 laps. It’s over in an instant. It’s like a Saturday night special at the local short track. And we get only the best of the best -- drivers that won a pole last season or any Daytona 500 pole, won a past Sprint Unlimited, or participated in the Chase last season. There are no hobos participating -- no jalopies to get in the way. This race is about getting out front quick and trying to maintain good position throughout because it’s over real fast.

There are a few drivers that really seem to like this format, such as three-time winner Kevin Harvick and two-time winner Denny Hamlin. Matt Kenseth won last season and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won twice, the last coming in 2008.

Read More Here......Top-5 Finish Prediction on VegasInsider.com

Matt Kenseth looking for Sprint Unlimited repeat

Kenseth is 10/1 to repeat

Matt Kenseth / No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Preview
Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway

No. 20 Dollar General Toyota News and Notes:

HOW IT ALL WORKS: Just like last year’s event, the starting line-up for the Sprint Unlimited will be determined by a random draw. The race will consist of 75 total laps and will be broken down into two segments with the competition caution coming out after lap 25. A total of 25 drivers are eligible for the 2016 Sprint Unlimited.

COULD HE REPEAT?: Last year’s Sprint Unlimited found Kenseth starting from 16th due to the random draw, but at the end of the event, the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota was celebrating in Victory Lane. The win was Kenseth’s career first in the non-points exhibition race and came in his ninth start.

THIS WEEK ON THE NO. 20 DOLLAR GENERAL TOYOTA: Dollar General vendor partners Gatorade, Angel Soft, Hefty, Bugles, Clorox, Old Spice, Purex, Colgate and Stacker 2 will be featured on Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 Toyota Camry this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

RACE INFO: The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile) begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 13th. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.

Kenseth’s 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
36	5	12	20	4	927	$6,806,416	11.5	14.3

Kenseth’s Career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Earnings	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
578	36	163	290	17	10,382	$113,970,664	17.8	14.1

From the Cockpit:
Matt Kenseth: “Being a kid and growing up in Wisconsin, there was always about a foot of snow on the ground and I always remember the Unlimited race being the kickoff to the racing season so it was always fun to be able to come in and watch that race knowing that the next weekend was the Daytona 500. Any win you can get is fun, and especially any win at Daytona is always special so it was a lot of fun to kick off of season last year with the Sprint Unlimited win. The way that the season kicks off is unique because you have the Unlimited, and then you have the qualifying races before the (Daytona) 500, so you get a lot of practice, and it’s nice to get some racing in before the 500 and be able to get back into the swing of things. The goal of the Sprint Unlimited is to go out and win the race since there’s no points consequences, so I feel like we typically take more risk in that race as far as making a move that might or might not work to try and get into position to get some folks to go with you in order to go for the win.”

From the Pit Box:
Jason Ratcliff: “To me, the Sprint Unlimited is kind of like the All-Star race because it’s an opportunity to go out there and try something new and there’s nothing to lose. It’s a good way to start out the season off, because it’s the first time you can get all our guys out to the race track and to get all the equipment out and make sure that things are ready to go. You really have everything to gain and nothing to lose since there aren’t any points associated with it. It’s really a good chance to try out things for the (Daytona) 500 car. We won this race last year, we’ve always run well in it and it’s a fun race so I’m looking forward to this weekend and getting things started for the season.”

Edwards and new crew chief kick off relationship in Sprint Unlimited

Carl Edwards is 15/1 to win Sprint Unlimited.

Carl Edwards / No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Preview

Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway

No. 19 ARRIS Toyota News and Notes:
Edwards heads to Daytona for his second full season at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). He will be teaming up with his new crew chief Dave Rogers and running the Sprint Unlimited will be their first time on the track together. The No. 19 team has high expectations for Daytona and 2016. Edwards is still looking for his first career Sprint Cup Superspeedway win and hopes the change to Rogers will produce it.

This is the second year that the starting line-up for the Sprint Unlimited will be determined by a random draw. The race will consist of 75 total laps and will be broken down into two segments with the competition caution coming out after lap 25. A total of 25 drivers are eligible for this year’s event.

In nine Sprint Cup Series starts at the Sprint Unlimited, Edwards has completed 588 of 678 laps and has led for a total of 84 laps. Edwards has earned two top-10 finishes and has started from the pole twice in 2010 and 2013 at the prestigious Florida track. He won the Camping World Truck Series race there in 2004.

The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile Tri-Oval) begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 13th. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, Sirius XM Channel 90 and MRN Radio.

From the Cockpit:
Carl Edwards: Alright, we’re headed back to Daytona. The 2016 year looks to be really exciting with coming off a championship season at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). I’ve gotten a chance to get to know Dave Rogers over the off-season. I’m really excited to go racing with him and my new A-team. The Sprint Unlimited is really a great way to start the season. We get to shake the cobwebs off and go have a good time. We’ve got AARIS on the car and we’d love to get them to Victory Lane. I’ve never been to Victory Lane in the Cup Series at Daytona, so it would be really exciting for me. I’m ready to go racing. It’s my second year at JGR. We had a great first year and I’m excited to build on it. Basically, it’s just a fun race this weekend and a good time. It’ll be a blast!”

From the Pit Box:
Dave Rogers: “I’ve enjoyed the time over the off-season to get to know Carl and I’m extremely encouraged by the quick bond we’ve developed, but it’s time to go racing. Although this will be Carl’s 10th Sprint Unlimited race, it’s my first opportunity to serve as a leader for him and this ARRIS Toyota team at the race track. I’m so excited – it almost feels like my rookie year again. I can’t wait to get this season started with the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona.”

- Joe Gibbs Racing

Austin Dillon could be live dog at 25/1 to win Sprint Unlimited

Austin Dillon is 25/1 to win Sprint Unlimited.

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS

Race Notes and Quotes

This Week’s Dow Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway …Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 440 in the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway. This is the same Chevrolet SS that Dillon raced at Talladega Superspeedway in May 2015, finishing 15th after starting fifth, and in the 2014 Daytona 500, where Dillon finished ninth after starting from the pole position.

Dillon in the Sprint Unlimited … This will be Dillon’s second Sprint Unlimited start. He finished 17th in last year’s edition of the race.

Dow Delivers Solutions at the Intersection of Science and Markets …Working closely with their customers, Dow delivers products and solutions that create value and competitive advantage while positively impacting the world we live in. Collectively, their efforts have lasting results, creating higher performance for their customers and reshaping the world around us to build a better future for everyone.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts heading into your second Sprint Unlimited?
“My team and I are ready for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season to start. We’re heading into the Sprint Unlimited with the mindset that we’re going to win. It’s a really cool race with a lot of prestige and I enjoyed last year’s event. It’s a fan’s race. It’s a race that’s fun for the fans to watch and fun for the drivers to race in.”

Is superspeedway racing your favorite?
“Speedway racing is interesting, for sure, but I don’t think I would categorize it as my favorite. It’s intense. It’s very mentally intense. I think the thing that makes speedway racing not my favorite is that there are elements that are not in your control as a driver. You’re running so close to the edge for so long and any little move by someone else can ruin your day. That feeling of not being in control is not necessarily my favorite. I enjoy speedway racing but I think personally, I prefer racing at mile-and-a-half tracks where you have more control of your destiny.”

- Richard Childress Racing

Tony Stewart to miss Daytona 500 due to back injury

Tony Stewart has never won the Daytona 500. 

CHARLOTTE -- Tony Stewart will miss the start of his final NASCAR Sprint Cup season after undergoing back surgery Wednesday to repair a burst fracture of his L1 vertebra, Stewart-Haas Racing said Thursday.

An interim driver was not named and a timetable was not given for Stewart's return.

Stewart suffered the injury while riding in a sand car with a group in Southern California on Sunday. He was transported to a local hospital and then flown to North Carolina on Tuesday night, where he was admitted to a Charlotte-area hospital.

SHR said Stewart is expected to make a "full recovery" and return to the No. 14 car this season, which had already been announced as his last.

Stewart, 44, will miss the Daytona 500, a crown jewel event he has not won in his 17-year career.

Read More Here....USA Today

Finding the 2016 Daytona 500 odds value in Las Vegas

Always try to get the best odds when betting a NASCAR race.

Here in Las Vegas, there are differing odds posted at every sports book and the objective for every bettor — whether playing $5 on each driver or $500 — is finding the best value. There’s nothing wrong with taking a walk up and down the strip to find that best value — the cool weather probably makes it the best time of year to take a stroll odds hunting, but we thought we’d simplify it for all by just making a list so you can map out your plan of attack and fire away at the best available number.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook looks to have the market cornered with the best odds available on almost every driver with their usual low theoretic hold percentage, but right at the top of the odds board they have Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the 5-to-1 favorite while a short drive away you can get 7-to-1 odds at the South Point. If Junior is your guy — and why not, since he won two of the four restrictor plate races last season — then take the drive south on the Las Vegas strip to the South Point to get maximum value.

Read More Here....LV odds chart on TheLinemakers.com

2016 Sprint Unlimited odds posted in Las Vegas

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 6-to-1 favorite in Sprint Unlimited.

We're less than a month from our first NASCAR action of 2016 and while every Las Vegas sports book has odds posted to win the Sprint Cup and Daytona 500, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook was the first to post odds on the Sprint Unlimited (Feb. 13, 8:15 p.m. ET) — a 75-lap, non-points race at Daytona International Speedway run one week prior to the Daytona 500.

There will be a 25 driver field with all the big names participating and perhaps the best thing about this race is that most of the also-rans have to sit it out, which keeps them out of the contenders' way. To be eligible for the race, a driver must have won a pole last season, been a past Sprint Unlimited winner, won a past Daytona 500 pole, participated in last seasons Chase, or have the most driver points until 25 drivers have filled the lineup. It's basically everyone within the top 25.

Two of the eligible participants are most likely out. Jeff Gordon retired at the end of 2015 and David Gililand doesn't have a ride yet. The next two drivers in line to fill up the lineup, who currently have rides, would be Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne.

Read More (Sprint Unlimited odds).........TheLinemakers.com

By the Numbers: 2016 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

Matt Kenseth won the Sprint Unlimited last season.

By the Numbers: The Sprint Unlimited
.013 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history
.058 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history
.08 - Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history
1 - Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in the Sprint Unlimited races they won
2.75 - Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts
5 - Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006)
6 - Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader
7 - Number of fewest starters in the field for the Sprint Unlimited (1981)
10 - Number of races led, the most since race began in 1979 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
11 - Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin)
14 - Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979
20 - Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Sprint Unlimited, leads all manufacturers
21 - Most consecutive starts in the Sprint Unlimited by Jeff Gordon (1994-2014).
27 - Kevin Harvick's starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event's history
28 - Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979
44 - Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event
47 - Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited was the 2013 event won by Kyle Busch.
197.802 mph - The fastest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.

The Sprint Unlimited Tidbits
- The number of participants has ranged from a low of seven in 1981 to a high of 28 in 2009 (25 are eligible for this year's event).
- The drivers with the most Sprint Unlimited appearances:
o Mark Martin (24) o Bill Elliott (23) o Jeff Gordon (21) o Ken Schrader (19) o Rusty Wallace (19) - Jeff Gordon has appeared in the most consecutive Sprint Unlimited races, competing in 21 consecutive events from 1994-2014.
- There have been nine multiple winners in the Sprint Unlimited:
o Dale Earnhardt won six events, most all-time (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).
o Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
o Kevin Harvick won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
o Tony Stewart won in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
o Other multiple winners: Neil Bonnett (1983-1984), Ken Schrader, (1989-1990), Jeff Gordon (1994 and 1997), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003 and 2008) and Denny Hamlin (2006 and 2014).
o Bonnett, Schrader, Stewart and Harvick are the only drivers to win back-to-back Sprint Unlimited races. No driver has won three consecutive Sprint Unlimited events.
- Buddy Baker (1979, the first race for the event), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Jeff Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Denny Hamlin (2006) all won the first Sprint Unlimited in which they competed.
- Only five times in the 32-year history of the race has the winner gone on to win the Daytona 500:
o Bobby Allison (1982)
o Bill Elliott (1987)
o Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)
o Jeff Gordon (1997)
- There have been four winners from the pole: Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).
- Two drivers have swept the Sprint Unlimited, Daytona 500 pole and Daytona 500 from 1979-2014: Dale Jarrett (2000) and Bill Elliott (1987).

The Sprint Unlimited Tidbits II
- One driver has swept the Sprint Unlimited, Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400 from 1979-2014: Bobby Allison (1982).
- Seven drivers have won the Sprint Unlimited (1979-2014) and the championship in the same season. Dale Earnhardt is the only one to have accomplished it multiple times (four times):
Tony Stewart (2002)
Jeff Gordon (1997)
Dale Earnhardt (1993, 1991, 1986, 1982)
- Four drivers have won consecutive Sprint Unlimited races (1979-2014). None went on to win that year's Daytona 500.
Kevin Harvick (2009-10)
Tony Stewart (2000-01)
Ken Schrader (1990-91)
Neil Bonnett (1983-84)
- The format for The Sprint Unlimited has changed 13 times since its inception into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1979.
- Danica Patrick is the only female driver to have competed in the Sprint Unlimited (1979 - 2014) - she started 12th and finished 16th last season.

The Sprint Unlimited Manufacturer Recap
Manufacturer, Victories, Last Victory - Driver Chevrolet, 20, 2013 - Kevin Harvick(a)
Ford, 7, 2004 - Dale Jarrett
Toyota, 3, 2015 - Matt Kenseth(a)
Buick, 2, 1982 - Bobby Allison
Oldsmobile, 2, 1980 - Dale Earnhardt
Pontiac, 2, 2002 - Tony Stewart(a)
Dodge, 1, 2011 - Kurt Busch(a)
(a) = active driver
* 2015 season 14 Chevrolets, six Toyotas and five Fords are entered into the Sprint Unlimited.

- NASCAR

---

NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series adopts Chase format for 2016

Erik Jones won the truck series championship in 2015.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 19, 2016) – Using the overwhelming success of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format introduced in 2014 as a guidepost, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France announced today the implementation of a playoff system in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

On the heels of a 2015 Chase that saw the highest season-finale viewership in nearly a decade, record-breaking page views on NASCAR.com and unparalleled volume on social media, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will each feature a seven-race Chase to decide its respective championships starting in 2016. The announcement was the first of a number of racing innovations presented by NASCAR on Tuesday.

"Fans, partners and the industry have embraced the new Chase format like nothing we’ve seen in the sport’s history," said France. "Winning never has been this important, and the excitement generated the past two seasons in the Sprint Cup Series has led to this implementation of the Chase format in all three national series. Competition in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will undoubtedly elevate to new heights and shine a spotlight on the rising stars of our sport."

The NASCAR XFINITY Series, where "Names Are Made," and the rugged NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will implement seven-race, three-round Chase formats with unique characteristics but very much in the same spirit of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All three series will conclude the Chase with a Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to crown a champion. However, all three will begin at different tracks: Chicago (Sprint Cup Series), Kentucky (XFINITY Series) and New Hampshire (Camping World Truck Series)

Drivers still must declare a series in which they will earn points, and will only be eligible to compete for a championship in that series. The 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers who qualified for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be ineligible to compete in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship 4 races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES CHASE

The seven-race NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase will begin at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 24, and feature 12 drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

A win in the first 26 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase, provided the driver is in the top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race. Drivers who win two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are also all but guaranteed a Chase berth.

The first round, called the Round of 12, consists of the races at Kentucky, Dover and Charlotte. All drivers will start with their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 12, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-8) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

Each driver who advances to the Round of 8 (Kansas, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 8 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will be crowned the NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CHASE

The seven-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase will begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. It will feature eight drivers and two elimination rounds, with four drivers competing in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. A win in the first 16 races all but guarantees a driver entry into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, provided that the driver is in the Top 30 in points and has attempted to qualify for each race.

The first round, called the Round of 8, consists of the races at New Hampshire, Las Vegas, and Talladega. All drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 16 races. If a driver wins a race in the Round of 8, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions (1-6) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

Each driver who advances to the Round of 6 (Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix) then will have their points reset to 3,000. Drivers who win a race in the Round of 6 automatically advance to the Championship 4. The remaining available positions (1-4) that have not been filled by wins will be filled on points.

The four drivers who advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead will have their points reset to 4,000. The highest finishing Championship 4 driver will win the championship.

All rules outlined above also apply to both series’ owner championship structure.

- NASCAR

Las Vegas posts 2016 Daytona 500 odds

Daytona 500 odds are posted at several Las Vegas sports books.

LAS VEGAS -- The 2016 Daytona 500 is only weeks away on Feb. 21 and a few Las Vegas sports books such as the Westgate SuperBook and MGM Resorts already have odds posted for NASCAR’s biggest race of the season, which means it’s time to start handicapping and get some action on the best odds offered before the price drops as the race nears.

As always with restrictor-plate tracks, you have to come in with the handicapping mindset that almost anything can happen. It’s the type of racing that gives up to 38 of 43 drivers a legitimate shot at winning. The cars are almost all equal and the draft really closes the advantage some of the power teams have at the 32 other races. Who thought Trevor Bayne could win the 2011 Daytona 500 at 100-to-1 odds? Not many, but it’s the perfect example of why you can discount too many drivers’ chances of winning.

Because so many drivers have a real shot at winning in the four plate races between Daytona and Talladega, you’re not going to get great odds on quality longshots, but at the same time, you’re going to get nice value on the favorites. At Atlanta, Martinsville or Charlotte, you can get Danica Patrick at around 300-to-1 odds, but in plate races she’s in the 60-to-1 range.

MORE: NASCAR bold predictions for 2016 | NASCAR's headliners in 2016

The only major change in the rules package as it applies to restrictor-plate tracks is a reduction of size in restrictor plates from 29/32 inches to 57/64 which will give the drivers almost 10 more horsepower. Everything else will be relatively the same last season which should give you a head start on who to key on.

Practices will mean very little to the equation after they’ve run, so there is nothing wrong with firing away on five or six drivers right now before the prices change. Here’s a look at a few quality candidates to win using the best price offered between the Westgate and MGM.

Read More Here.....TheLinemakers.com

Westgate opens Harvick as favorite to win 2016 Sprint Cup

Kyle Busch opens at 7-to-1 to win 2016 Sprint Cup. 

LAS VEGAS -- Kyle Busch may have just won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, but when setting odds for the 2016 season, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook went with last year’s champion, Kevin Harvick, as the 5-to-1 favorite, while installing Busch and two others as co-second favorites at 7-to-1 odds .

It’s easy to understand why Harvick is the favorite. His consistency over the past two seasons has been amazing, and there is little reason to believe his Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet won’t be every bit as good in 2016.

How good has Harvick been the past two seasons? For starters, he became the first driver since Jeff Gordon in 1995-96 to lead over 2,000 laps in two consecutive seasons. This past season, he finished in the top-five in 23 of 36 starts, including three wins and 13 second-place finishes.

One case against Harvick winning the Sprint Cup in 2016 is that the rules package might favor other drivers, particularly the four from the Joe Gibbs Racing garage. We got a glimpse this past season of the 2016 package at Kentucky and Darlington, both won by JGR drivers, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards.

JGR was so far advanced when the low down-force set-up was introduced at Kentucky in July that all four of its drivers finished in the top five. Harvick finished eighth at Kentucky and fifth at Darlington.

Read More Here.......complete list of Westgate odds to win