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Daytona 300

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Daytona 300
File:PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona logo.png
NASCAR Xfinity Series
VenueDaytona International Speedway
Corporate sponsorInvesco
First race1959
Distance300 miles (482.803 km)
Laps120
Previous namesModified Sportsman Race (1959–1965)
Daytona Permatex 300 (1966–1977)
Sportsman 300 (1978–1981)
Goody's Sportsman 300 (1982–1984)
Goody's 300 (1985–1995)
Goody's Headache Powder 300 (1996)
Gargoyles 300 (1997)
NAPA Auto Parts 300 (1998–2001)
EAS/GNC Live Well 300 (2002)
Koolerz 300 (2003)
Hershey's Kisses 300 (2004)
Hershey's Take 5 300 (2005)
Hershey's Kissables 300 (2006)
Orbitz 300 (2007)
Camping World 300 (2008–2009)
DRIVE4COPD 300 (2010–2014)
Alert Today Florida 300 (2015)

The PowerShares QQQ 300 is the first race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, 300-mile-long (483 km) annual race held at Daytona International Speedway. It is held the day before the Daytona 500, and is considered the most prestigious event of the Xfinity Series. Until 2002, it was the only event of the Xfinity Series to be annually held at Daytona International Speedway. Ryan Reed is the defending race winner after winning the race in 2015.

History

The race originates from races held at the Daytona Beach Road Course during the 1948 NASCAR Modified series season, the first sanctioned races held by the organization. Between 1950 and 1958, the race was held as part of the Modified/Sportsman Series, at the Daytona Beach Road Course. It was held the Friday or Saturday before the track's Grand National Series race.

In 1956–1959, a race in the short-lived NASCAR Convertible Division was also held.

The race moved to the new 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway for 1959. It was scheduled the day before the Daytona 500, and ran a distance of either 200 or 250 miles. In 1966, the race became known as the Permatex 300, making it only the second race on the NASCAR schedule to be named for a corporate sponsor (the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside being the first). In 1968 the Permatex 300 was shifted from the Modifieds division to the newly organized NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division. In 1982, the Late Model Sportsman Division was reorganized into the modern day NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the race was sponsored by Goody's for several years.

Incidents

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the race was often ridiculed and exploited by local media for its frequent crashes and massive pileups. Several major accidents and fires over the years were blamed on the low level of experience by several of the drivers, and the older equipment used. The level of prestige held by the event, along with the relatively large purses, attracted numerous independent and one-off entries, contributing to the inexperience. Under current NASCAR rules, drivers must be cleared to race at Daytona and Talladega, requiring enough experience at intermediate tracks (often they will now race the ARCA race the week before to gain NASCAR clearance, especially if a driver has turned 18 between the Talladega Truck Series race the previous October).

Inclement weather also plagued many early runnings.

The 1960 race is notable for having the largest pileup in NASCAR history. On the first lap, 37 cars crashed in turn four (out of a starting field of 68).

In 1981 and 2004, the race started on Saturday, but was halted by rain, and finished Monday, the day after the Daytona 500. The 1969 race was red flagged three times for rain and also saw the fatal crash involvin Don McTavish.

The 1979 running was shortened by rain and won by Darrell Waltrip. A brutal crash erupted off Turn Two where fire exploded from the Preacher Cox Mercury of Joe Frasson; driver Don Williams was gravely injured in the crash and would die ten years later from the incident.

The 2013 race featured two large accidents. With five laps remaining, Michael Annett and Austin Dillon collided and a multi-car crash erupted in the first turn. The race was halted as a red flag was given to clean up the debris. Annett was hospitalized overnight after sustaining bruises on his chest, but was released the following day in time for the Daytona 500, but was ruled out for the following race at Phoenix because of a sternum injury. Following the red flag the race had two laps remaining. Regan Smith and Brad Keselowski moved into the lead on the final lap, but off the fourth turn, Keselowski turned Smith into the wall head on, causing the field to pile in. Kyle Larson had the most significant impact, as his No.32 Chevrolet flew into the tri-oval catch fence, causing its nose to snag a crossover gate, which tore open. The force of the collision dug the engine in, ripping it out of the car. The car's entire front half disintegrated and one front wheel lodged onto the engine and another flew approximately ten rows into the grandstand, injuring 30 spectators (two in critical condition). A total of twelve cars were involved in the crash, but all were unharmed.[1] The two spectators that were seriously injured by the debris from Larson's crash were treated at the nearby Halifax Medical Center and were later released.

In 2015, two cautions in the final forty laps were caused by separate collisions that included eleven cars. In the first collision, Regan Smith's car flipped over once in the tri-oval, while in the second collision, Kyle Busch collided into a concrete wall head on, suffering a fracture in his leg and foot. As a result of his injuries, Busch was forced to miss the first ten races of the Sprint Cup Series season.

Buschwhackers

Since its inception, due to its prestige and prominent position on the Speedweeks calendar, the race has long attracted Sprint Cup Series regulars, known as Buschwhackers, Claim Jumpers, or Signal Pirates. Sprint Cup Series regulars have dominated the race over the past 30 years, winning all but three runnings since 1981. Notable Cup regulars who have won the race multiple times include Dale Earnhardt (7 wins), Tony Stewart (7), Darrell Waltrip (5), and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (3).

Several Cup Buschwhackers have swept the weekend, winning both the 300 and the Daytona 500: Bobby Allison (1988), Darrell Waltrip (1989), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (2004), Kevin Harvick (2007).

Television

In the early 1990s, ESPN began airing the race same-day tape delay. From 1997 to 2000, the race was shown live on CBS, which also held broadcast rights to the Daytona 500 at the time. From 2001 to 2006, the live television rights to the race were held by Fox (odd years) and NBC/TNT (even years). The race was shown on ESPN or ESPN2 and was the only event of Speedweeks not shown on the Fox family of networks between 2007 and 2014. Fox Sports 1 started broadcasting the race in 2015 under the current NASCAR television contract.

Year Network Lap-by-lap Color commentator(s)
1990 Prime Bob Varsha
1991
1992 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
1993 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
1994 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
1995 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons and Kyle Petty
1996 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons and Kyle Petty
1997 CBS Ken Squier Ned Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip
1998 CBS Mike Joy Ned Jarrett and Buddy Baker
1999 CBS Mike Joy Ned Jarrett and Buddy Baker
2000 CBS Mike Joy Ned Jarrett and Buddy Baker
2001 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds
2002 NBC Allen Bestwick Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach
2003 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds
2004 NBC Allen Bestwick Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach
2005 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds
2006 NBC Bill Weber Wally Dallenbach and Benny Parsons
2007 ABC Jerry Punch Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree
2008 ABC Jerry Punch Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree
2009 ABC Jerry Punch Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree
2010 ABC Marty Reid Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree
2011 ABC Marty Reid Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree
2012 ABC Allen Bestwick Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree
2013 ABC Allen Bestwick Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree
2014 ABC Allen Bestwick Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree
2015 Fox Adam Alexander Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick
2016 Fox Adam Alexander Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick

Past winners

Daytona Beach Road Course

Year Date Driver Team Manufacturer Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)
Laps Miles (km)
1948 February 15 Red Byron Ray Parks Ford 68 149.6 (240.757) 1:58:29 75.757
August 8 Fonty Flock Ford 68 149.6 (240.757) 2:01:25 73.92
1949 January 16 Marshall Teague Ford 47 202.1 (325.248) 2:16:08 88.23
1950 February 4 Gober Sosebee Ford
1951 February 10 Gober Sosebee Ford 39 159.9 (257.334) 1:56:37 82.27
1952 February 9 Tim Flock Ford 1:08:39 87.39
1953 February 14 Cotton Owens Plymouth 24 98.4 (158.359) 1:05:33 91.54
1954 February 20 Cotton Owens Plymouth 30 123 (197.949) 93.87
1955 February 26 Banjo Matthews Melvin Joseph Ford 19* 77.9 (125.367) 98.04
1956 February 24 Tim Flock Joe Wolf Chevrolet 31 127.1 (204.547) 1:25:17 89.41
1957 February 15 Speedy Thompson Lester Hunter Plymouth 31 127.1 (204.547) 1:15:41 99.097
1958 February 21 Banjo Matthews Ford 31 127.1 (204.547) 1:17:01 97.381
  • 1955: Shortened from 125 miles due to a large crash and fire on the 17th lap which injured 3 drivers and 3 spectators.

Daytona International Speedway

Year Date Driver Team Manufacturer Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)
Laps Miles (km)
1959 February 21 Banjo Matthews Ford 80 200 (321.868) 1:29:07 134.65
1960 February 13 Marion Farr Roy Cook Ford 100 250 (402.336) 2:08:38 116.610
1961 February 25 Jimmy Thompson Ford 100 250 (402.336) 1:45:50 141.732
1962 February 16 Lee Roy Yarbrough Ford 100 250 (402.336) 1:42:14 146.723
1963 February 23 Lee Roy Yarbrough Studebaker 100 250 (402.336) 1:42:02 147.01
1964 February 22 Tiny Lund Ford 80* 200 (321.868) 1:54:49 104.506
1965 February 13 Marvin Panch Marion Cox Ford 100 250 (402.336) 1:55:48 129.533
1966 February 27 Curtis Turner Andy Hotten Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:04:33 144.52
1967 February 25 Jim Paschal Plymouth 120 300 (482.803) 2:01:28 148.188
1968 February 24 James Blackburn Ray Fox Dodge 120 300 (482.803) 2:08:11 140.423
1969* February 22 Lee Roy Yarbrough Bondy Long Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:49:13 105.365
1970 February 21 Tiny Lund Bondy Long Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:15:01 133.316
1971 February 13 Red Farmer Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:27:43 140.936
1972 February 19 Bill Dennis Junie Donlavey Mercury 120 300 (482.803) 2:12:43 135.627
1973 February 17 Bill Dennis Junie Donlavey Mercury 120 300 (482.803) 2:14:10 134.161
1974 February 16 Bill Dennis Junie Donlavey Mercury 108* 270 (434.522) 1:55:20 140.462
1975 February 15 Jack Ingram Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:10:20 138.107
1976 February 14 Joe Millikan Petty Enterprises Dodge 120 300 (482.803) 2:03:26 145.828
1977 February 19 Donnie Allison Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 1:56:36 154.396
1978 February 18 Darrell Waltrip DiGard Racing Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 1:50:39 162.675
1979 February 17 Darrell Waltrip DiGard Racing Chevrolet 69* 172 (276.807) 1:50:22 93.778
1980 February 16 Jack Ingram Junie Donlavey Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:19:44 128.817
1981 February 14/16* David Pearson Joel Halpern Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 2:19:05 129.419
1982 February 13 Dale Earnhardt Robert Gee Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 1:56:29 154.529
1983 February 19 Darrell Waltrip DarWal, Inc. Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 2:01:55 147.642
1984 February 18 Darrell Waltrip DarWal, Inc. Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 1:54:56 156.613
1985 February 16 Geoffrey Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 1:54:33 157.137
1986 February 15 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 2:00:52 148.924
1987 February 14 Geoffrey Bodine Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 1:56:03 155.106
1988 February 13 Bobby Allison Bobby Allison Buick 120 300 (482.803) 2:15:09 132.825
1989 February 18 Darrell Waltrip DarWal, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:17:11 131.211
1990 February 17 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:00:31 149.357
1991 February 16 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:04:50 144.192
1992 February 15 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:15:55 132.434
1993 February 13 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:02:55 146.440
1994 February 19 Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:04:53 144.135
1995 February 18 Chad Little ppc Racing Ford 120 300 (482.803) 1:59:25 150.732
1996 February 17 Steve Grissom Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:07:52 140.722
1997 February 15 Randy LaJoie BACE Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:00:15 149.688
1998 February 14 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:11:11 137.213
1999 February 13 Randy LaJoie Phoenix Racing Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:10:04 138.391
2000 February 19 Matt Kenseth Reiser Enterprises Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:07:54 140.735
2001 February 17 Randy LaJoie Evans Motorsports Pontiac 120 300 (482.803) 2:13:11 135.152
2002 February 16 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:01:54 147.662
2003 February 15 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:05:12 143.770
2004 February 14/16* Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:21:32 127.179
2005 February 19 Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 1:59:59 150.021
2006 February 18 Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:23:49 125.159
2007 February 17 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 1:55:13 156.227
2008 February 16 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 120 300 (482.803) 1:56:46 154.154
2009 February 14 Tony Stewart Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:09:59 138.479
2010 February 13 Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:25:32 123.683
2011 February 19 Tony Stewart* Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:08:52 139.679
2012 February 25 James Buescher Turner Motorsports Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:18:51 129.636
2013 February 23 Tony Stewart Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 120 300 (482.803) 2:08:37 139.951
2014 February 22 Regan Smith JR Motorsports Chevrolet 121* 302.5 (486.826) 2:02:28 148.204
2015 February 21 Ryan Reed Roush Fenway Racing Ford 120 300 (482.803) 2:00:59 148.781
  • 1964: Race shortened due to late start caused by three hour rain delay.
  • 1969: Three red flags during the race due to rain.
  • 1974: Race scheduled for 108 laps (270 miles) due to energy crisis.
  • 1979: Race shortened due to rain.
  • 1981 and 2004: Race started on Saturday but finished on Monday due to rain.
  • 2011: Tony Stewart wins his 4th straight February race edging Clint Bowyer by 0.007 seconds.
  • 2014: Race extended due to a green–white–checker finish.

Multiple winners (drivers)

# Wins Driver Years Won
7 Dale Earnhardt 1982, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
Tony Stewart 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
5 Darrell Waltrip 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1989
3 Banjo Matthews 1955, 1958, 1959
LeeRoy Yarbrough 1962, 1963, 1969
Bill Dennis 1972, 1973, 1974
Randy LaJoie 1997, 1999, 2001
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2002, 2003, 2004
2 Gober Sosebee 1950, 1951
Cotton Owens 1953, 1954
Tim Flock 1952, 1956
Tiny Lund 1964, 1970
Jack Ingram 1975, 1980
Geoff Bodine 1985, 1987

Multiple winners (teams)

# Wins Team Years Won
8 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2004
4 Junie Donlavey 1972, 1973, 1974, 1980
Kevin Harvick Inc. 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011
3 DarWal, Inc. 1983, 1984, 1989
Hendrick Motorsports 1985, 1987, 2009
Richard Childress Racing 2002, 2007, 2013
2 Bondy Long 1969, 1970
DiGard Racing 1978, 1979

Manufacturer wins

# Wins Make Years Won
29 Chevrolet 1956, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
21 Ford 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1995, 2015
7 Pontiac 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2001
4 Plymouth 1953, 1954, 1957, 1967
3 Mercury 1972, 1973, 1974
2 Dodge 1968, 1976
1 Studebaker 1963
Buick 1988
Toyota 2008

See also

References

  1. ^ Associated Press, February 23, 2013


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