DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Matt Kenseth survived mayhem around him Saturday night to win his first NASCAR Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway. Crashes involved over half the 25 car field and left only 11 cars running at the end of the 75 lap non-points race.
Polesitter Paul Menard led the first three laps but Brad Keselowski was fighting for the top spot by lap 4 on the inside; he fell into second a lap later but charged back forward on lap 7. Keselowski broke out into the front on lap 8 followed by Kenseth. Kenseth moved up to the high side and took the lead for the first time on lap 10. Martin Truex Jr. soon took over the point from the outside and soon he and Kenseth were dueling for the lead. Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved into second on lap 12 as Kenseth settled into third. Soon Kenseth was fighting Tony Stewart for third.
The top three remained the same as those behind dueled side by side, two and at times three wide. Kyle Larson moved to challenge for second on lap 20. As the scheduled caution neared at lap 25, the top 10 broke out into a single line. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
- NASCAR to debut new short track package at Phoenix - February 28, 2023
- The Wrench Who Stole Racing - December 16, 2022
- Matt DiBenedetto’s excellent run comes to abrupt, violent end - February 17, 2019
