As it turns out, NASCAR’s changes to try and eliminate the two-car drafts have mostly brought back the big pack.
Bud Shootout Practice Marred By Multi-Car Wreck At Daytona International Speedway
But with the return of the pack comes the return of the “big one” -- and Friday night’s first Budweiser Shootout practice at Daytona International Speedway was no exception.
A five-car crash marred the opening practice of the NASCAR season, a wreck that began when Tony Stewart turned Kurt Busch while trying to push-draft.
When Busch spun down the track, he was hit by brother Kyle Busch and the Penske Racing cars of A.J. Allmendinger and Brad Keselowski, as well as Jeff Gordon.
It appears Keselowski, Allmendinger and Kurt Busch may have to use backup cars for Saturday night’s Bud Shootout.
"Some guys in front of me got together, and that's just the way it is," Keselowski said. "... It's a shame [we] got caught up in it, but it's better to do it now than next Sunday [in the Daytona 500]."
The good news for fans is the drafting seems to be “kind of back to the way it used to be,” Clint Bowyer said.
Matt Kenseth was fastest in the first practice, topping the charts at 201.762 mph with drafting partner Jeff Burton. David Ragan, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman rounded out the top five.
The final Bud Shootout practice begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
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