While Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton took their respective twin 150-milers at Daytona International Speedway, it appears that NASCAR got it right.
There were neither huge accidents nor the “big one” in either 80-lap, 150-mile race on Thursday afternoon.
While the two-car tandem, bumper-to-bumper, draft was prevalent; drivers worked their way through keeping engines within operating temperatures for the most part.
Busch backed up his Bud Shoot Out victory with his win in the first qualifier at the high-banked 2.5-mile super speedway. He held off the Chevrolet of Reagan Smith and Kevin Harvick finished third in another Chevrolet.
In the second race, Burton, in a Chevrolet, nipped past his teammate, Clint Bowyer at the checkered flag. Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner finished third in a Toyota.
“Great ride through these Speedweeks,” Busch said, his victory came down to “being in the right place at the right time. I don’t want it to end.”
After a late race caution Busch, with Smith right on his bumper motored away from his rivals when the green flag waved.
Unlike Saturday night where Busch had help from another driver push him to victory the race winner Smith made an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to pass for the win after a restart for a late race caution.
Burton and Bowyer seemed to have the most powerful cars in the second race even if they didn’t completely dominate it. Burton, said, “it’s really important to have someone work with you. Clint and I decided we were just going to find each other early and it worked out well for both of us.”
Oddly enough the finish was so close he had radio Bowyer and asks who took the checkered flag.” I didn’t know who won, but it was good race.”
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| Photo: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR |
There were neither huge accidents nor the “big one” in either 80-lap, 150-mile race on Thursday afternoon.
While the two-car tandem, bumper-to-bumper, draft was prevalent; drivers worked their way through keeping engines within operating temperatures for the most part.
Busch backed up his Bud Shoot Out victory with his win in the first qualifier at the high-banked 2.5-mile super speedway. He held off the Chevrolet of Reagan Smith and Kevin Harvick finished third in another Chevrolet.
In the second race, Burton, in a Chevrolet, nipped past his teammate, Clint Bowyer at the checkered flag. Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner finished third in a Toyota.
“Great ride through these Speedweeks,” Busch said, his victory came down to “being in the right place at the right time. I don’t want it to end.”
After a late race caution Busch, with Smith right on his bumper motored away from his rivals when the green flag waved.
Unlike Saturday night where Busch had help from another driver push him to victory the race winner Smith made an unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to pass for the win after a restart for a late race caution.
Burton and Bowyer seemed to have the most powerful cars in the second race even if they didn’t completely dominate it. Burton, said, “it’s really important to have someone work with you. Clint and I decided we were just going to find each other early and it worked out well for both of us.”
Oddly enough the finish was so close he had radio Bowyer and asks who took the checkered flag.” I didn’t know who won, but it was good race.”
 |
| Photo: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR |