SRT Motorsports - Dodge NSCS Race Recap - Daytona 500

February 27, 2012 , DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -  KESELOWSKI’S OPPORTUNITY FOR WIN ENDS IN MULTI-CAR CRASH

Early Problems For Allmendinger In Daytona 500; Gordon Has Engine Problems

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Monday, Feb. 27, 2012) – Speedweeks 2013 at Daytona International Speedway will require more than just a few pages in NASCAR annals. More like chapters. Several chapters. The word bizarre has to be included on every title page.

For the first time in history, the 54th running of the Daytona 500 was postponed a day. The race finally got the green flag Monday night, 30 hours after Sunday’s scheduled start.

By the time “The Great American Race” officially ended and the curtain closed on Speedweeks 2013 early Tuesday morning, nobody could have predicted the mayhem that occurred. From the Bud Shootout that launched the racing action at the World Center of Racing to the Daytona 500 finale, nothing was predictable. For good measure, all events were extended beyond the scheduled distance due to late-race cautions. Some needed three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish, the maximum.

While multi-car mishaps and unexpected winners will dot many pages, the most bizarre was saved for the Daytona 500. Matt Kenseth was the winner; that wasn’t totally unexpected. Other happenings will fill those pages.

The race had its first caution just as the field completed lap one, a six-car mishap involving the defending Daytona 500 champion, the five-time Sprint Cup champion and Danica Patrick. That was just racing. The bizarre came when a race car went out of control in turn three during a caution period and slammed into a jet drying unit. The fireworks started literally. The unit, filled with jet fuel, exploded. The race was red flagged for just over two hours (2:05.29) while officials cleaned the excess jet fuel from the track. The tools – laundry detergent and water.

Dodge drivers A.J. Allmendinger and Robby Gordon had issues early, but Brad Keselowski was in position to challenge for the victory with just 22 laps remaining.

Keselowski followed the team’s pre-race strategy to perfection to that point – avoiding the mishaps and keeping the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger clean. He ran in the top
15 throughout the first 450 miles. An unscheduled pit stop for four tires during the eighth caution on lap 179 left the “Blue Deuce” deep in the field in 24th for the restart. That was the wrong place to be. He was collected in a seven-car mishap on lap 188, ending his bid for a solid finish.

“We fought really hard all race long to be up front in front of the wrecks,” said Keselowski. “The car developed a vibration and I had to come in and pit under yellow. When something happens and you’re back there, you can’t get out of it. It’s Daytona and that’s how this racing is. We had a good run tonight and I’m proud of everyone at Penske Racing. We’ll take the Miller Lite Dodge on to Phoenix.”

Allmendinger’s bid for victory ended before the field had completed 50 miles. Ryan Newman cut down a tire, bringing out the second caution on lap 14. As Allmendinger approached his pit stall, Newman was leaving his, but immediately lost his left rear tire. It rolled to the front of the 22 pit stall just as Allmendinger was turning in. The contact punctured the radiator on the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger. The team had to push the call down pit road and into the garage where they changed the radiator. Allmendinger returned to the track on lap 40, 26 laps behind the leaders. He finished 36th.

“Our Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger ran well and it was fast, but we have a 34th-place finish to show for it,” said Allmendinger. “The guys did a good job. It was a just a frustrating night for us, but we’ll bounce back strong at Phoenix.”

Gordon’s problem was a continuation of a problem which surfaced during Thursday’s Duel – engine issue. Despite smoking early in that 60-lap qualifying event, the No. 7 MAPEI/Menards/SPEED Energy Dodge Charger made it to the finish and collected one of the two Daytona 500 berths. The problem resurfaced and was terminal Monday night. The engine stopped on lap 25. He finished 41st.

"Unfortunately a piston or something broke in the motor,” said Gordon. “The car just started smoking, vibrating really bad and then something broke.”

Race Results
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Daytona 500
Daytona Int'l Speedway
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Greg Biffle
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Jeff Burton
6. Paul Menard
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Carl Edwards
9. Joey Logano
10. Mark Martin
32. BRAD KESELOWSKI
34. A.J. ALLMENDINGER
41. ROBBY GORDON

NASCAR Sprint Cup
Point Standings
(After 1 of 36 races)
1. Matt Kenseth 47
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 42
3. Greg Biffle 42
4. Denny Hamlin 42
5. Jeff Burton 40
6. Paul Menard 39
7. Kevin Harvick 37
8. Carl Edwards 36
9. Joey Logano 36
10. Mark Martin 35
29. BRAD KESELOWSKI 12
31. A.J. ALLMENDINGER 10
36. ROBBY GORDON 3

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