Tony Stewart has got this Nationwide thing at Daytona down to a science.
Stewart Wins Nationwide Series Race At Daytona Yet Again
Now, if he could just win the Daytona 500.
Stewart won the Daytona Nationwide race for the fifth time in six seasons – a stunning achievement considering the random nature of restrictor-plate racing.
“Man, was this thing awesome,” Stewart said. “I’m not surprised, but glad we’re here again.”
Carl Edwards barely edged Kevin Harvick and Justin Allgaier for second in a three-wide finish at the line as several others wrecked behind them.
Several of the top contenders were taken out roughly three-quarters into the race, when Edwards tapped Brad Keselowski, who hooked Dale Earnhardt Jr. and turned the sport’s most popular driver onto his roof.
Earnhardt Jr. flipped and tumbled down the backstretch and was hit several times, but emerged from his car unhurt.
Edwards said he hadn’t seen a replay but was trying to squeeze in behind Keselowski.
“I felt like at the last minute he might have just moved over a little bit to the left,” he said. “I definitely could have given him a little more room. That’s just hard racing.”
Expecting his wife to go into labor at any time – but hoping she does so after the Daytona 500 – Edwards said, “She’s got her legs crossed, and I’ve got my fingers crossed.”
Danica Patrick, making her NASCAR debut, was caught up in an earlier crash and finished 35th.
Kyle Busch, who had gotten a piece of the Earnhardt Jr. wreck, rallied by driving back into the top 10, but got loose and spun with Keselowski late in the race.
Busch, the defending series champion, finished 18th.
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