2012 Daytona 500

Auto race held at Daytona, United States in 2012 June 2015 June 2015 NAS https://www.espn.com/racing/schedule/_/year/2012 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule ESPN ESPN Internet Ventures December 17, 2011 live https://web.archive.org/web/20120421213527/http://espn.go.com/racing/schedule/_/year/2012 April 21, 2012The Race: Daytona 500 http://www.jayski.com/news/races/2012/story/_/page/01dis2012info Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120309134813/http://www.jayski.com/news/races/2012/story/_/page/01dis2012info March 9, 20122012 Daytona 500 http://www.racing-reference.info/race/2012_Daytona_500/W Racing-Reference USA Today Sports Media Group June 20, 2015 February 27–28, 2012 2012 1 36 2012 Daytona 500 logo.jpg Logo for the 2012 Daytona 500. Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida 2.5 4 202 505 812.718 200 Warm with temperatures approaching 80.1 F C; wind speeds up to 12 mph km/hWeather Information for Daytona Beach, Florida http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/FL/Daytona%20Beach/2012-02-27 Old Farmer's Almanac Yankee Publishing June 17, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20150623213123/http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/FL/Daytona%20Beach/2012-02-27 June 23, 2015 140.256 mi/h 140,000 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing 46.216 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing 57 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing Fox Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds 8.0/14 (Final) 7.7/13 (Overnight) (13.699 million)2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup TV Ratings http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2012.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20140708031705/http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2012.htm July 8, 2014 The 2012 Daytona 500 was the first stock car race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The 54th iteration of the event, it was held between February 27 and 28, 2012 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, before a crowd of 140,000. Matt Kenseth driving for Roush Fenway Racing took the 202-lap race for his first win of the season and his second Daytona 500 victory. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second and Greg Biffle was third. The race was scheduled for February 26 but heavy rain forced NASCAR officials to delay it until February 27 at 7:02 p.m. EST. Carl Edwards, who won the pole position by posting the fastest lap in qualifying, was immediately passed by Biffle before the first turn. Biffle maintained this position until he was passed by Regan Smith on lap eleven. Denny Hamlin took over the lead after a second caution period and led the race for 57 laps, during which Biffle also led. Matt Kenseth assumed the first place on lap 146 and maintained it until a seventh caution period twelve laps later. The race was stopped for two hours and five minutes after Juan Pablo Montoya hit a jet dryer on lap 160, causing fuel to seep onto the track and catch fire. Kenseth regained the first position just before the lap 166 restart, and maintained it for the last thirty-eight laps to win the race. The race had ten cautions and saw twenty-five lead changes by ten different drivers. The result gave Kenseth the Drivers' Championship lead with 47 points, five ahead of Earnhardt, Biffle, and Hamlin. Jeff Burton followed in fifth on 41 points. Ford led the Manufacturers' Championship with nine points, three ahead of Chevrolet in second. Toyota was third with four, and Dodge was fourth. The race attracted on average 13.69 million television viewers, with 36.5 million watching part or all of the race, making it the second most-watched 500 in history. Background 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series#Teams and drivers alt=Layout of Daytona International Speedway|thumb|left|Daytona International Speedway, where the race was held The 2012 Daytona 500 was the first of 36 scheduled stock car races of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and the 54th edition of the event.Le Dak February 17, 2020 The 2012 Daytona 500: NASCAR's Longest Day https://www.speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/the-2012-daytona-500-nascars-longest-day/ March 17, 2022 Speed Sport It was scheduled to be held on February 27, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Florida, at Daytona International Speedway, a superspeedway that holds NASCAR races.NASCAR Race Tracks http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ December 20, 2011 NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. https://web.archive.org/web/20130105015851/http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ January 5, 2013 The layout used for the Daytona 500 is a four-turn, 2.5 mi km on superspeedway.http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=2346804 Daytona International Speedway June 27, 2011 ESPN SportsTravel ESPN June 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120120202142/http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=2346804 January 20, 2012 Daytona's turns are banked at 31 degrees, and the front stretch—the location of the finish line—is banked at 18 degrees. Trevor Bayne was the race's defending winner.Shacklette Buddy February 20, 2012 Bayne gets shot to defend The Daytona Beach News-Journal http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/sprint-cup/2012/02/20/bayne-gets-shot-to-defend.html March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120226120555/http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/sprint-cup/2012/02/20/bayne-gets-shot-to-defend.html February 26, 2012 The Daytona 500 was conceived by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who owned the Daytona International Speedway.Nelson Murry R. Murry R. Nelson American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols and Ideas May 23, 2013 https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&q=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&pg=PA328 Santa Barbara, California ABC-CLIO 328–330 978-0-313-39753-0 June 24, 2015 The race was first held in 1959; it is the successor to shorter races held on beaches around Daytona Beach, Florida.https://www.ticketcity.com/daytona-500-tickets/daytona-500-history.html Daytona 500 History TicketCity June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120509221046/http://www.ticketcity.com/daytona-500-tickets/daytona-500-history.html May 9, 2012 The race has been the opening round of the NASCAR season since 1982.Bonkowski Jerry Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Daytona 500 (well, almost) http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/23/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-daytona-500-well-almost/ NBC Sports NBC February 23, 2014 June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20140306125838/http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/23/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-the-daytona-500-well-almost/ March 6, 2014 From 1988 it was one of four events that require cars to run restrictor plates; alongside the 400 mi km on summer Daytona race and the two races at Talladega Superspeedway.Restrictor Plate History Chart http://www.jayski.com/stats/restrictor.htm Jayski Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505165343/http://www.jayski.com/stats/restrictor.htm May 5, 2015 The Daytona 500 offers the most prize money of any auto race held in the United States. On February 20, 2011, NASCAR's vice president of operations Steve O'Donnell announced that the 2012 Daytona 500 would be moved from its traditional Presidents' Day weekend slot to the final Sunday of February. The decision was based on the possibility of an extended National Football League schedule; the Daytona 500 was moved to avoid a potential clash with the Super Bowl. This shortened the NASCAR season by one week; the company planned to maintain momentum during the early part of the year.Official Release 2012 Daytona 500 pushed back by a week http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2011/02/20/daytona-500-date-2010.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 20, 2011 June 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150622195938/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2011/02/20/daytona-500-date-2010.html June 22, 2015 After the two-car style draft—also called tandem racing—dominated races held on restrictor plate tracks during 2011, NASCAR reduced the size of the radiators from five liters to two and the air intakes were moved towards the cars' fascia section. The size of the restrictor plate was reduced by 1/64 in mm 1 and the cars were required to run with softer springs and a smaller rear spoiler. These changes were intended to reduce the effectiveness of two-car style drafting and to make the cars more challenging to turn. Sprint Cup Series director John Darby stated, "We want to be able to give the teams more options when it comes to drafting and we want to be able to reduce the difference in the speeds between the tandem style of racing and more of the pack style of racing that the fans are accustomed to seeing".Freeman Glenn NASCAR announces changes to try and eliminate tandem drafting http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96776 Autosport Haymarket Publications December 16, 2011 June 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107125038/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96776 January 7, 2012 In preparation for the race and to test the new car package, NASCAR held several test sessions on January 12–14, 2012. Test sessions began at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC–05:00), and were paused at midday for a lunch break. They then resumed at 1:00 pm. EST, before concluding at 5:00 pm.Daytona Testing Speeds – Day 1, – January 12, 2012 http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day1 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures January 12, 2012 June 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120115015258/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day1 January 15, 2012 31 drivers participated in the first session on the morning of January 12; Jeff Gordon was quickest with a speed of 192.773 mph km/h on, while Kyle Busch had the highest speed of 202.402 mph km/h on during the second session in the afternoon. At the end of the second session, NASCAR announced that the opening of the restrictor plate would be increased by 1/32 in mm to be 15/16 in cm wide and the pressure release valve settings were reduced from 30 psi bar on to 25 psi bar on.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/series-daytona-pre-season-test-notes-day-2/ Series Daytona pre-season test notes, day 2 January 14, 2012 NASCAR Series press release motorsport.com July 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120114173708/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/series-daytona-pre-season-test-notes-day-2/ January 14, 2012 On the second day, NASCAR allowed drivers to draft in packs to check the cars' responses. During the third session on the morning of January 13, in which 32 drivers took part, Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer were both quickest with a speed of 204.722 mph km/h on, and Kurt Busch recorded the fastest speed of 206.058 mph km/h on in the fourth session held in the afternoon.Daytona Testing Speeds – Day 2, – January 13, 2012 http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day2 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures January 13, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120115015310/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day2 January 15, 2012 Ryan Newman and Casey Mears decided to leave after the session.Daytona Testing Speeds – Day 3 – January 14, 2012 http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day3 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures January 14, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120117054616/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/story/_/page/2012daytona-test-day3 January 17, 2012 During the fifth session, held on the morning on January 14, 30 drivers took part; Kasey Kahne and Gordon were both quickest with a speed of 201.545 mph km/h on. After the session, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. left the circuit and NASCAR increased the pressure value from 20 psi bar on to 25 psi bar on. Gordon was fastest in the sixth and final session held in the afternoon, with a speed of 200.562 mph km/h on. During the 2012 Budweiser Shootout, some of the cars' engines overheated while driving in packs; NASCAR increased the engines' pressure release values from 25 psi bar on to 28 psi bar on to help reduce overheating and alleviate the effects of driving at high temperatures.Olson Jeff Mechanic Carl? Edwards drops knowledge on overheating http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-22/Carl-Edwards-drops-overheating-knowledge/53211568/1 USA Today Gannett Company. Inc. February 22, 2012 June 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20130607121133/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-22/Carl-Edwards-drops-overheating-knowledge/53211568/1 June 7, 2013 Practice and qualification 2012 Gatorade Duels upright|alt=Head and shoulders of a man in his early thirties. He is facing to the right, smiling and wearing black sunglasses. He is wearing black racing overalls, with the Aflac logo embroiled on his collar with logos for Ford, Valvoline, Simpson and NASCAR displayed on the body.|thumb|left|Carl Edwards qualified on pole, the eleventh of his career. There were seven practice sessions held before the race. The first two were held on February 18 and ran for 120 and 105 minutes each. The next two on February 22 were shortened to 90 minutes each. Two days later, two more practice sessions were scheduled, which both ran for 60 minutes. The final practice session was held on February 25 and lasted 60 minutes. Greg Biffle lapped fastest at 46.537 seconds in the first session, 0.011 seconds quicker than Marcos Ambrose. Jeff Gordon, Bayne, Paul Menard, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Aric Almirola and Carl Edwards rounded out the session's top ten drivers.Practice 1 Timing and Scoring http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice1_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 18, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220221906/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice1_speeds.html February 20, 2012 In the second practice session, Biffle remained fastest with a time of 46.574 seconds, followed by Bayne, Truex, Stewart and Mark Martin, Menard, Edwards, Ambrose, Gordon and A. J. Allmendinger.Practice 2 Timing and Scoring http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice2_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 18, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220192618/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice2_speeds.html February 20, 2012 There were forty-nine cars entered in the qualifier, NASCAR's qualifying procedure permitted forty-three to race. Each driver ran two laps, and unlike most races during the season, the qualifying session determined the first two positions, while the rest of the drivers qualified by the 2012 Gatorade Duels.Taliaferro Matt Forty nine drivers are entered for NASCAR's 54th annual Daytona 500 http://athlonsports.com/columns/nascar-news-notes/2012-daytona-500-entry-list#sthash.ZOUNObft.dpuf Athlon Sports Athlon Media Group February 16, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20130527042947/http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/nascar-news-notes/2012-daytona-500-entry-list May 27, 2013 Edwards clinched his eleventh pole position of his career, his first in the Daytona 500,Wackerlin Jeff Roush Fenway Sweeps Daytona Front Row http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2012/02/Roush-Fenway-Takes-Daytona-Front-Row.aspx Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation February 19, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621212533/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2012/02/Roush-Fenway-Takes-Daytona-Front-Row.aspx June 21, 2015 with a time of 46.216 seconds.Sporting Wire News Service Edwards, Biffle sweep Daytona front row for RFR http://www.nascar.com/news/120219/cedwards-pole-daytona-500/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 19, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120304000030/http://www.nascar.com/news/120219/cedwards-pole-daytona-500/index.html March 4, 2012 The time was the fastest recorded average speed since Jeff Gordon's pole lap in the 1999 race. He was joined on the front row of the grid by teammate Biffle. It was the first time since the 2007 race that Ford cars had the top two starting positions. Bowyer who recorded the 22nd fastest time, had his car twice fail the post-race inspection for height sticks and was required to start at the rear of the field in the second Gatorade Duel race. After the qualifier, Edwards commented, "It's huge to start this year for us and this company with the run today. This is the result of a lot of hard work this offseason and we are now ready to focus on how to win this Daytona 500." Kenseth led the third practice session, with a time of 44.809 seconds. Bayne, Stenhouse, Ambrose, Martin, Bowyer, Michael McDowell, Kevin Harvick, Menard, and Kahne followed in the top ten.Daytona 500 3rd Practice Speeds http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2012/02/Daytona-500-3rd-Practice-Speeds.aspx Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation February 22, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621212544/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2012/02/Daytona-500-3rd-Practice-Speeds.aspx June 21, 2015 Brad Keselowski slowed to avoid Newman which caused Bowyer to turn into Keselowski, sending him spinning into the grass on the backstretch. Keselowski's car had sustained minor damage which meant he was not required to use his back-up car as mechanics were able to repair the damage.Gluck Jeff Daytona 500 2012: Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski Crash in Practice https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/2/22/2817282/2012-daytona-500-kasey-kahne-practice SB Nation Vox Media February 22, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20130603024623/http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/2/22/2817282/2012-daytona-500-kasey-kahne-practice June 3, 2013 Almirola led fourth practice (where twenty-five drivers took part) with a lap of 45.065 seconds, nearly one-tenth of a second faster than David Stremme. David Ragan was third ahead of Robert Richardson Jr. and Biffle.Practice 4 Timing and Scoring http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice4_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225003145/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice4_speeds.html February 25, 2012 During the session (where drivers ran in packs and drafted off each other), Juan Pablo Montoya made contact with Kahne, who was sent spinning into the grass on the frontstretch which caused parts of his car's nose to be torn off. Kahne was required to use his back-up car for the rest of Speedweeks. Stewart and Kenseth were the winners of the Gatorade Duels.Diaz George Gatorade Duels: Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth win http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-02-23/sports/os-nascar-gatorade-duel-0224-20120222_1_danica-patrick-gatorade-duels-michael-waltrip Orlando Sentinel Tribune Publishing February 23, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082240/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-02-23/sports/os-nascar-gatorade-duel-0224-20120222_1_danica-patrick-gatorade-duels-michael-waltrip February 25, 2012 The qualifying grid was finalized with Stewart in third and Kenseth in fourth. Earnhardt, Regan Smith, Ambrose, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton and Elliott Sadler completed the top ten. The six drivers that failed to qualify were Michael Waltrip, Richardson, Bill Elliott, Mike Wallace, Kenny Wallace and J. J. Yeley.Race Lineup http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/lineup.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120304000303/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/lineup.html March 4, 2012 After the duels, Patrick, David Gilliland, Montoya and Menard went to back-up cars because they were involved in wrecks during the first duel.Wackerlin Jeff Stewart and Kenseth Duel Winners http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2012/02/Stewart-and-Kenseth-Duel-Winners.aspx Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation February 23, 2012 June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150624183746/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2012/02/Stewart-and-Kenseth-Duel-Winners.aspx June 24, 2015 Edwards was fastest in fifth practice with a 45.301 seconds lap, one-thousand of a second in front of Almirola. Ambrose was third quickest, ahead of Montoya and Biffle. Kahne and Gordon were sixth and seventh quickest, within one second of Edwards' time.Daytona 500 5th Practice Speeds http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2012/02/Daytona-500-5th-Practice-Speeds.aspx Motor Racing Network International Speedway Corporation February 24, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621212557/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2012/02/Daytona-500-5th-Practice-Speeds.aspx June 21, 2015 Kyle Busch (with a time of 45.026) led the sixth session ahead of Joey Logano who set an identical time to Kyle Busch. Kurt Busch had the third-fastest time. Denny Hamlin was next ahead of Stewart. Truex, Stenhouse, Allmendinger, Kesleowski and Gordon followed in the top ten.Practice 6 Timing and Scoring http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice6_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 24, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120226140315/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice6_speeds.html February 26, 2012 Gilliland's lap of 44.969 seconds topped the final practice session (where thirty-seven drivers participated), followed by Bayne, Stenhouse, Almirola, and Jeff Gordon in the top five positions.Practice 7 Timing and Scoring http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice7_speeds.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 25, 2012 June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227220444/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/practice7_speeds.html February 27, 2012 During the final practice session, Kurt Busch hit a bird which tore a small hole in the bottom of his radiator causing water to be drained from his car. He changed his car's engine because the damage could not be repaired.Rodman Dave Gilliland feeling strong after Happy Hour effort http://www.nascar.com/news/120225/dgilliland-tbayne-kbusch-happy-hour-daytona/index.html?eref=/jayski NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 25, 2012 August 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120229013416/http://www.nascar.com/news/120225/dgilliland-tbayne-kbusch-happy-hour-daytona/index.html?eref=%2Fjayski February 29, 2012 dead Qualifying results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Reason 1 99 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing Ford Pole Winner 2 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford Outside Pole Winner 3 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Duel Race 1 Winner 4 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing Ford Duel Race 2 Winner 5 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Second in Gatorade Duel 1 6 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet Second in Gatorade Duel 2 7 9 Marcos Ambrose Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Third in Gatorade Duel 1 8 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Third in Gatorade Duel 2 9 31 Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Fourth in Gatorade Duel 1 10 33 Elliott Sadler Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Fourth in Gatorade Duel 2 11 98 Michael McDowell Phil Parsons Racing Ford Duel Race 1 transfer 12 20 Joey Logano Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Sixth in Gatorade Duel 2 13 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Seventh in Gatorade Duel 1 14 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Seventh in Gatorade Duel 2 15 22 A. J. Allmendinger Penske Racing Dodge Eighth in Gatorade Duel 1 16 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Eighth in Gatorade Duel 2 17 7 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Dodge Duel Race 1 transfer 18 39 Ryan Newman Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Ninth in Gatorade Duel 1 19 1 Jamie McMurray Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Tenth in Gatorade Duel 1 20 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Tenth in Gatorade Duel 2 21 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford Eleventh in Gatorade Duel 1 22 55 Mark Martin Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Eleventh in Gatorade Duel 2 23 2 Brad Keselowski Penske Racing Dodge Thirteenth in Gatorade Duel 1 24 36 Dave Blaney Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet Duel Race 2 transfer 25 34 David Ragan Front Row Motorsports Ford Fourteenth in Gatorade Duel 1 26 56 Martin Truex Jr. Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Thirteenth in Gatorade Duel 2 27 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fifteenth in Gatorade Duel 1 28 51 Kurt Busch Phoenix Racing Chevrolet Fourteenth in Gatorade Duel 2 29 10 Danica Patrick Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet Sixteenth in Gatorade Duel 1 30 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Fifteenth in Gatorade Duel 2 31 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Seventeenth in Gatorade Duel 1 32 47 Bobby Labonte JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota Sixteenth in Gatorade Duel 2 33 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford Twenty-second in Gatorade Duel 1 34 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Duel Race 2 transfer 35 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Twenty-third in Gatorade Duel 1 36 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Ford Eighteenth in Gatorade Duel 2 37 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Twenty-fourth in Gatorade Duel 1 38 93 David Reutimann BK Racing Toyota Twenty-third in Gatorade Duel 2 39 83 Landon Cassill BK Racing Toyota Twenty-fifth in Gatorade Duel 1 40 21 Trevor Bayne Wood Brothers Racing Ford Speed – 193.615 41 26 Tony Raines Front Row Motorsports Ford Speed – 192.534 42 30 David Stremme Inception Motorsports Toyota Speed – 191.963 43 32 Terry Labonte FAS Lane Racing Ford Champion's Provisional Failed to qualify 44 09 Kenny Wallace RAB Racing Toyota Speed – 191.567 45 40 Michael Waltrip Hillman Racing Toyota Speed – 191.180 46 97 Bill Elliott NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Speed – 189.950 47 37 Mike Wallace Rick Ware Racing Ford Speed – 189.853 48 23 Robert Richardson Jr. R3 Motorsports Toyota Speed – 188.438 49 49 J. J. Yeley Robinson-Blakeney Racing Toyota Speed – 187.954 1 Car moved to the back of the grid for going to a backup car (#10, #27, #38, #42), changing engines (#51).Sources:Daytona Qualifying and Starting Lineup http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2012/story/_/page/01-Daytona-Qualifying-Lineup Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120311193121/http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2012/story/_/page/01-Daytona-Qualifying-Lineup#lineup March 11, 2012 dead Race The race, broadcast live on television in the United States by Fox and by TSN2 in Canada,Daytona 500 on TSN2 headlines new NASCAR broadcast season http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/nascar/story/?id=387715 The Sports Network March 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120214030656/http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/nascar/story/?id=387715 February 14, 2012 was due to start at 1:00 pm. EST, but heavy rain prompted NASCAR officials to delay it until the afternoon of February 27, making it the first Daytona 500 to be postponed; because of this, wrestler John Cena, who was supposed to wave the green flag, was in Portland for a WWE commitment.http://www.nascar.com/lap-by-lap/120226/day500lbl/index.html Lap-by-Lap: Daytona February 28, 2012 Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. NASCAR June 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120228203717/http://www.nascar.com/lap-by-lap/120226/day500lbl/index.html February 28, 2012 Further rain fell during February 27, delaying the race until 7:02 pm. EST, making it the first race to start in primetime and to avoid more morning and afternoon rain.Ingram Jonathan March 1, 2012 Kenseth wins by fire and water https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2012/3/AS2012.03.01.pdf Autosport 207 64-67 September 26, 2026 9https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=txnascardaytona500weat Daytona 500 start pushed back to 7 pm. Monday Fryer Jenna February 27, 2012 Yahoo! Sports June 30, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150630084542/http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=txnascardaytona500weat June 30, 2015 Smaller rear spoilers, bigger restrictor plates and a gripper track surface following day-long rain and cooler conditions were expected to make the race quicker. Commentary was provided by Mike Joy, with analysis given by retired driver Darrell Waltrip and former crew chief Larry McReynolds.2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule http://www.jayski.com/pages/2012cup_sched.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130104193217/http://www.jayski.com/pages/2012cup_sched.htm January 4, 2013 March 19, 2022 Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures Pastor Sonny Gallman of Central Baptist Church, Daytona, began the pre-race ceremonies with the invocation. Daytona Beach resident Melisa TenBroeck performed the U.S. national anthem, and Wood Brothers Racing co-founder Leonard Wood gave the command for the drivers to start their engines. During the pace laps, Patrick, Menard, Montoya and Gilliland moved to the back of the grid because they had switched to their backup cars; Kurt Busch did the same because he had changed his car's engine.Joy Mike Mike Joy McReynolds Larry Larry McReynolds Waltrip Darrell Darrell Waltrip February 27–28, 2012 NASCAR on Fox Television production Daytona Beach, Florida Fox Broadcasting Company 00:07:12–03:18:24 (excluding commercials) Stated by the forementioned individuals and on-screen rundown of positions Kahne did not move to the rear because he changed to his backup car before the Gatorade Duels. Weather conditions at the start were cloudy with the air temperature at 69 F C on. Biffle accelerated from the start line quicker than his teammate Edwards, leading him at the first turn. At the start of lap two a five car crash was triggered by Sadler making contact with Johnson in the tri-oval; Johnson's car spun sideways and caught those of Patrick, Kurt Busch, Ragan and Bayne. The incident triggered the first caution of the race and the pace car. Johnson and Ragan were forced to retire but Patrick, Bayne and Kurt Busch drove back to their garages for repairs. None of the drivers who were involved in the accident sustained injuries. The race restarted on lap eight, with Biffle leading Kenseth and Edwards.Jensen Tom February 28, 2012 Cup: Kenseth Wins Longest 500 http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-matt-kenseth-wins-longest-500-daytona-sprint-nascar/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120301161813/http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-matt-kenseth-wins-longest-500-daytona-sprint-nascar/ March 1, 2012 March 17, 2022 Speed On the eleventh lap, Smith took the lead; one lap later Biffle moved back into the lead in turn three with aid from teammate Edwards. On lap 13, Newman looped his car on the backstretch at the exit of the second corner without making contact with the wall; a second caution was issued, during which the leaders, including Biffle, made pit stops. Newman's left-front tire was unsecured and he collided with Allmendinger on pit road.Pearce Al Daytona 500: Matt Kenseth wins wild Great American Race http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120228/NASCAR/120229831 Autoweek February 28, 2012 March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302003327/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120228/NASCAR/120229831 March 2, 2012 Menard and Hamlin—both of whom chose not to pit—led the field back to speed at the restart on lap 17; by the end of the lap Hamiln had the lead. Hamlin began to pull away from the rest of the field, with Menard in his tow as the leaders began to run in single file. After starting the race in 26th, Truex had moved up 18 positions to eighth by lap 21, and Bowyer had moved up 20 positions to be running in tenth. Biffle tried to pass Truex for seventh on the 23rd lap but Truex kept the position. Both drivers continued to battle for the next two laps. By lap 25, Hamlin was still leading with Menard, Ragan, Logano, Jeff Burton, Ambrose and Truex in the top seven positions. Bayne rejoined the race on lap 37. On lap 44, Burton, with assistance from Biffle, moved into the lead on the outside of the exit of turn two. Hamlin, who had dropped to third, attempted a passing manoeuvre around the outside for the lead one lap later but dropped to sixth. Green flag pit stops began on lap 56; most of the leaders, including Burton, made pit stops on lap 59. Gordon moved into the lead on lap 61 and began to pull away from Burton. Three laps later, debris was reported in turn two, triggering the third caution. Some drivers, including Gordon, made pit stops for fuel during the caution. During Kenseth's pit stop on lap 66, his team made repairs to his car, which had a water pressure problem. His mechanics changed the car's water and Kenseth rejoined the race in 33rd.Kenseth Wins Historic Daytona 500 For the Record Books http://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story/kenseth-wins-historic-daytona-500-record-books roushfenway.com Roush Fenway Racing March 1, 2012 July 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150708193830/http://www.roushfenway.com/?q=story%2Fkenseth-wins-historic-daytona-500-record-books July 8, 2015 dead Burton led the field at the restart on lap 68, followed by Biffle, Ambrose, Truex and Kyle Busch. Biffle passed Burton to gain the lead in turn one, with Ambrose moving into second by turn three. Burton had dropped to sixth position by lap 76; Truex had moved ahead of Biffle around the outside for the lead on the same lap. Biffle reclaimed the lead momentarily on lap 78 but Truex overtook him. Three laps later, the fourth caution of the race was prompted when going into turn three Jeff Gordon's engine failed, of which the cause was undetermined, and flames appeared from his car. Most of the drivers, including Truex, made pit stops under caution. Terry Labonte chose not to stop and led the field at the lap 86 restart, followed by Biffle, who reclaimed the lead on the same lap. Ambrose made contact with Terry Labonte coming off the fourth turn on lap 88 and rested at the side of the pit road; the race's fifth caution was issued. Some drivers chose to pit under caution. The race restarted on lap 92 with Biffle leading from Ambrose on the outside lane and Truex.Pedley Jim February 28, 2012 Matt Kenseth Wins One Bizarre Daytona 500 http://www.racintoday.com/archives/33375 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303020651/http://www.racintoday.com/archives/33375 March 3, 2012 March 17, 2022 Racin' Today Eight laps later, Truex, assisted by Hamlin, passed Biffle going into the third turn to take the lead and earned $200,000 for leading at the halfway point. On the 102nd lap, Stewart took over the lead on the backstretch before Hamlin went underneath him betweens turns three and four to reclaim the first position. Two laps later, Truex had moved back into second place. By lap 110, pole position driver Edwards was running in 21st and was reporting fluctuations in his car's fuel pressure. Bowyer started to slow on lap 127, running out of fuel. He could not go to pit road because two faster cars blocked his entry. He coasted on the side of the track before stopping at turn two, triggering the sixth caution on the 129th lap. Most of the leaders, including Hamlin, made pit stops under caution. Martin led the field up to speed at the restart on lap 133;Utter Jim February 28, 2012 Rain, wrecks, fire and a Kenseth win The Charlotte Observer http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/02/28/82810/kenseths-win-a-long-time-coming.html March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120301192350/http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/02/28/82810/kenseths-win-a-long-time-coming.html March 1, 2012 he was followed by Smith and Biffle. On the same lap, Biffle, with aid from Hamlin, passed Martin for the lead entering the third turn. Biffle lost the lead when Hamlin passed him on lap 139; five laps later his teammate Logano took over first place. Kenseth carried extra momentum and drove to the high side of the fourth turn to take the lead from Logano on the 146th lap. Two laps later, Earnhardt moved into second after passing Logano. The top fifteen drivers were separated by less than a second by lap 154. Jet dryer incident Stremme's engine failed on lap 157 and his car spun in front of a small pack of traffic after his car dropped oil on the track, causing the seventh caution. The leaders, which included Kenseth, made pit stops and some for two tires.Utter Jim A Juan-in-a-million accident http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/02/29/v-print/82870/recalling-details-surrounding.html The Charlotte Observer The McClatchy Company March 1, 2012 July 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150721132451/http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/02/29/v-print/82870/recalling-details-surrounding.html July 21, 2015 Under caution, teams employed varying strategies as rain was approaching the circuit. Juan Pablo Montoya reported to his team that he felt a vibration on his car after leaving pit road; he returned to his pit box on lap 159 where his pit crew checked underneath his car for the vibration which they could not find. He then drove at racing speed after rejoining the track at turn two to catch up with the pace car when a rear trailing arm on his car broke at turn three where two jet dryers were clearing debris. He lost control, skidded up the banking and collided with a trailer-mounted jet engine filled with 200 USgal of jet kerosene, destroying it and rupturing the fuel tank, which started leaking fuel onto the track. Montoya drifted down the track onto the infield grass. Almost a minute later, something caused the jet fuel to ignite, creating a wall of fire across the track.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkYxxh6C_jw Juan Pablo Montoya slams into jet dryer, sets it ablaze YouTube February 27, 2012 The conflagration caused a red flag to be shown. Over the course of two hours and five minutes, NASCAR officials extinguished the fire, cleaned and repatched the track and used quick-dry to dry the oil. Montoya climbed out of his car on his own, but the driver of the safety truck, 52-year-old Duane Barnes, had to be assisted down the banking. Montoya and Barnes were taken to the nearby Halifax Medical Center for examination. The jet dryer and the truck it was attached to was removed from the track by two forklifts. Light rain hit at the track and later broke up.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/mis-update-on-barnes-fiery-escape-from-daytona-jet-dryer/ MIS update on Barnes' fiery escape from Daytona jet dryer February 28, 2012 Michigan International Speedway press release motorsport.com June 30, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302012456/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/mis-update-on-barnes-fiery-escape-from-daytona-jet-dryer March 2, 2012 Keselowski gained a large amount of attention during the red flag when he used an iPhone to photograph his view of the accident scene through the windshield and post it to Twitter.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/sports/autoracing/nascars-keselowski-gains-more-than-100000-twitter-followers-during-daytona-500.html?_r=0 Stopped on the Track, Racing Ahead on Twitter Sandomir Richard February 28, 2012 The New York Times July 3, 2015 Dave Blaney, Landon Cassill, Tony Raines and Gilliland were the leaders prior to the red flag, having not made pit stops under caution. Edwards and Kyle Busch removed tear-offs from their windshields and were required to go to the back of the field. Finish The race resumed under caution at 11:57 pm. EST, following the red flag period that lasted two hours, five minutes and twenty-nine seconds. Mears ran out of fuel at turn two and had to be pushed to pit road by the recovery truck. Blaney, Cassill, Raines and Gilliland made pit stops for fuel, allowing Kenseth to take the lead for the lap 166 restart, ahead of teammate Biffle and Earnhardt in third, and maintained the lead for the next ten laps. On lap 176, the eighth caution was issued after Mears made contact with Almirola, who regained control of his car, but Mears went into the side of Ambrose in the first turn. The restart was delayed for one lap because Logano was moved to the back of the field for failing to maintain car speed. Kenseth led the field at the lap 183 restart, followed by Biffle. thumb|alt=Matt Kenseth (in the blue and yellow car with the 17 number) is leading Greg Biffle in the Black, White and Red car displaying the number 16. Biffle is closely followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving a car with the number 88 with a silver color scheme.|Matt Kenseth leads Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr. through the tri-oval Five laps later, however, a multi-car collision occurred on the frontstretch after Jamie McMurray cut a tire, veered off and collided with Kahne, triggering an eleven car chain-reaction accident involving Edwards, Stewart, Almirola, Keselowski and Smith. Earnhardt's and Stewart's cars sustained minor damage; the ninth caution of the race was issued. The race restarted on lap 194, with Kenseth again leading. As the cars were running single file, A second multi-car collision occurred on lap 197 the entry to turn one, collecting a total of 18 cars including Stewart, Blaney, Stenhouse, Cassill, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman, triggered the final caution of the race. At the lap 201 restart, a green–white–checkered finish extended the race to 202 laps, with Kenseth leading Biffle, Hamlin, Earnhardt and Burton. Kenseth withstood pressure from Biffle and Earnhardt over the final two laps and crossed the finish line on lap 202 to win his second Daytona 500. Biffle weaved on the backstretch to block Earnhardt but the Hendrick Motorsports driver passed Biffle leaving turn four at the finish for second. Hamlin finished fourth, and Burton was fifth. Menard, Harvick, Edwards, Logano and Martin completed the top ten finishers.NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Official Race Report No. 1; 54th Annual Daytona 500; Daytona International Speedway http://www.jayski.com/stats/2012/pdfs/01daytona2012racereport.pdf NASCAR February 28, 2012 March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20120304031327/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2012/pdfs/01daytona2012racereport.pdf March 4, 2012 deadNASCAR Cup Series 2012 54th Annual Daytona 500 Race Classification https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series/2012/54th-annual-daytona-500/classification Motorsport Stats March 17, 2022 The race had a total of ten cautions and twenty-five lead changes among ten different drivers. After the race I have to give a lot of credit to Doug Yates and the guys at the engine shop. We had great horsepower. I could get a pretty good start on the bottom and either Denny or Dale Jr. could push me for awhile and then they just couldn't stay attached and I would get away from them just in time to get in front of Greg and the two of us together could make some unbelievable speed. I have to thank Greg. We worked together really good all day long. He had a really fast car all day as well. Kenseth, speaking in victory line about his second Daytona 500 win.Ford Racing press release Ford teams Daytona 500 race notes, quotes http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ford-teams-daytona-500-race-notes-quotes/ motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 28, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120229222056/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ford-teams-daytona-500-race-notes-quotes/ February 29, 2012 left 33% Kenseth appeared in the victory lane to celebrate his first victory of the season; earning $1,589,390 for the victory. Kenseth's victory was the 300th for his team Roush Fenway Racing in all three major series of NASCAR.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sports/daytona-500.html?_r=0 After Two Days of Delays, Kenseth Wins His Second Daytona 500 Bernstein Viv February 27, 2012 The New York Times June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621190014/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sports/daytona-500.html?_r=0 June 21, 2015 Following his win, Kenseth said, "It feels great. I wasn't expecting to win when I woke up this morning. It feels good to be sitting here", and, "I think the 16 [Biffle] had one of the strongest cars all week, and ours was right there as well. It took a long time to get to the front, but like Thursday, once we were in the front it was hard for anyone to get locked on to you."Ryan Nate Matt Kenseth edges Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win Daytona 500 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/wins-daytona-500/53278392/1 USA Today Gannett Company, Inc. February 28, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120929150917/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/wins-daytona-500/53278392/1 September 29, 2012 Earnhardt, who finished in second place, said, "We couldn't ever get to Matt. I kind of waited until the last minute. I thought it was a great race. I want to thank the fans for sticking around on a Monday night and everyone who tuned in at home. Sorry about the delay and everything." Biffle, who took third, said, "We had a great speed weeks. Coming out of here with a third place finish is really exciting for us." thumb|alt=Head portrait of a man in his late thirties. He is facing to the left and smiling.|Juan Pablo Montoya (pictured in 2014) collided with a jet dryer which caused the race to be stopped and garnered much media attention. Montoya expressed surprise over the crash where he hit a jet dryer under the race's seventh caution, "I've hit a lot of things—but a jet dryer?".http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/02/28/daytona-500-juan-pablo-montoya-crashes-sets-truck-ablaze/ Daytona 500: Juan Pablo Montoya's Fiery Crash February 28, 2012 Fox News Latino June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302083022/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/02/28/daytona-500-juan-pablo-montoya-crashes-sets-truck-ablaze March 2, 2012 He also said his helmet was singed in the fire and he had an aching foot. NASCAR President Mike Helton was also surprised over the incident, "You would think after 65 years and running all the races that NASCAR has run ... that you've seen about everything. You do think about, 'Oh, my gosh, if that can happen, what else can happen?'" Track worker Barnes thanked the fans and Montoya for their concerns. International Speedway Corporation president Joie Chitwood III said that track officials abided by standard procedures when clearing the track, "The team was prepared. The expertise was there. The training was there. The teamwork with NASCAR was there." A NASCAR spokesperson said, "Things were operating in a normal fashion ... it was an extraordinary circumstance that occurred when something went awry in the No. 42 car.", and, "Under caution, it is standard for a car to 'catch up' to the rest of the field, which is what the No. 42 car was doing." Montoya's car was examined by NASCAR officials before it returned to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's shop in Concord, North Carolina. NASCAR did not fine Keselowski for tweeting during the red flag period and was allowed to keep his iPhone in his pocket for the rest of the season. Later in the week, track officials conducted a thorough analysis of the track in turn three and determined the damage was worse than originally thought. A second patch job was conducted for the track's upcoming Daytona Bike Week events in March. After the Bike Week, the affected area of track was completely removed and resurfaced by Lane Construction—the same company that resurfaced the entire track prior to the 2011 Daytona 500. Repairs were completed in time for the Coke Zero 400 in July.http://www.crash.net/nascar/news/177664/1/daytona-to-repave-after-montoya-crash.html Daytona to repave after Montoya crash 16 March 2012 crash.net June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150216024726/http://www.crash.net/nascar/news/177664/1/daytona-to-repave-after-montoya-crash.html February 16, 2015 From the Subway Fresh Fit 500 onward, NASCAR required that an additional pace car would be behind the last jet dryer on track in all three national series and jet dryer drivers were allowed to wear helmets and fire suits for extra protection.Utter Jim NASCAR announces safety changes http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/03/04/83088/nascar-announces-safety-changes.html The Charlotte Observer The McClatchy Company March 4, 2012 June 30, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120307212608/http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/03/04/83088/nascar-announces-safety-changes.html March 7, 2012 The jet dryer incident was described as "one of the most bizarre events" in the history of NASCAR and the Daytona 500 by various American media organizations.http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-02-28/danica-patrick-jimmie-johnson-crash-matt-kenseth-wins-daytona-500-delay Bizarre Daytona 500 will be remembered Bruce Kenny April 20, 2012 Sporting News July 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150707180814/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-02-28/danica-patrick-jimmie-johnson-crash-matt-kenseth-wins-daytona-500-delay July 7, 2015 Two days after the race, Hendrick Motorsports was penalized for Johnson's car.Official Release 48 penalty brings six-race suspension for Knaus http://www.nascar.com/news/120229/jjohnson-cknaus-penalties/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 29, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302174100/http://www.nascar.com/news/120229/jjohnson-cknaus-penalties/index.html March 2, 2012 The penalty, for "actions detrimental to stock car racing",The penalty was for unapproved car body modifications; a part of the car had been modified to enhance aerodynamic performance. Johnson's car was found to have issues with its c-pillars during a February 17 inspection.Caraviello David Big penalty sends Johnson into negative territory http://www.nascar.com/news/120229/jjohnson-cknaus-48-team-penalties/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 1, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302174055/http://www.nascar.com/news/120229/jjohnson-cknaus-48-team-penalties/index.html March 2, 2012 included a $100,000 fine and a six-race suspension for crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec and the loss of 25 owner and driver points for Jeff Gordon and Johnson. Both Knaus and Malec were placed on probation until May 9, 2012, and were suspended from NASCAR until April 18, 2012. Speed analyst and former driver Kyle Petty thought the penalties went too far, stating that the car was never raced and questioned why NASCAR issued the penalties.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-29/Jimmie-Johnson-Chad-Knaus-penalized/53304856/1 NASCAR docks Jimmie Johnson 25 points, suspends Chad Knaus Leistikow Chad March 1, 2012 USA Today Gannett Company June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211406/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-29/Jimmie-Johnson-Chad-Knaus-penalized/53304856/1 June 21, 2015 Hendrick Motorsports immediately announced it would appeal the decision; Knaus and Malec were allowed to work with the team during the appeal. The team lost the initial appeal on March 13, and made a final appeal to NASCAR National Commissioner John Middlebrook.Demmons Doug Hendrick Motorsports loses its appeal of NASCAR suspensions http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/03/hendrick_motorsports_loses_its.html The Birmingham News Advance Publications March 13, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150621185837/http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/03/hendrick_motorsports_loses_its.html June 21, 2015 As a result of the final appeal held on March 20, Knaus and Malec's six-race suspension was lifted and the points penalties to Johnson and Jeff Gordon were rescinded; however, the $100,000 fine administered to Knaus was upheld.Official Release Penalties rescinded on Knaus, No. 48 team http://www.nascar.com/news/120320/cknaus-jjohnson-penalties-rescinded/index.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 20, 2012 June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120324062117/http://www.nascar.com/news/120320/cknaus-jjohnson-penalties-rescinded/index.html March 24, 2012 dead As this was the first race of the season, Kenseth led the Drivers' Championship with 47 points, followed by Earnhardt, Biffle and Hamlin, who were all tied for second on 42 points. Burton followed in fifth on 40 points.2012 Official Driver Standings: Daytona 500 http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/standings_official.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 21, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20120406104844/http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2012/1/data/standings_official.html April 6, 2012 Ford became leader in the Manufacturers' Championship with nine points. Chevrolet was in second with six points, Toyota in third place with four points, one point ahead of Dodge in fourth.Manufacturers' Championship Classification http://www.jayski.com/stats/2012/manu2012.htm Jayski's Silly Season Site ESPN Internet Ventures January 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20121130202821/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2012/manu2012.htm November 30, 2012 The race had an average television audience of 13.69 million viewers. An estimated 36.5 million total viewers watched all or part of the race, which was a 22 percent increase from the previous year's event. It became the most viewed NASCAR race in Fox's history and was the network's highest rated Monday night since Game Five of the 2010 World Series sixteen months previously. The race garnered the highest ratings in the 18–49 demographic, and was also the second most watched Daytona 500 behind the 2006 race.'12 Daytona 500-second-most watched in History http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2012/02/28/daytona-500-2012-second-most-watched-history.html NASCAR Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 28 February 2012 July 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20141121073026/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2012/02/28/daytona-500-2012-second-most-watched-history.html November 21, 2014 The race took three hours, thirty-six minutes and two seconds to complete, and the margin of victory was 0.210 seconds. Race results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Points 1 17 Matt Kenseth Roush Fenway Racing Ford 202 4713 2 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 202 42 3 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 202 421 4 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 202 422 5 31 Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 401 6 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 391 7 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 202 37 8 99 Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Racing Ford 202 36 9 20 Joey Logano Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 202 361 10 55 Mark Martin Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 202 351 11 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 202 33 12 56 Martin Truex Jr. Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 202 331 13 9 Marcos Ambrose Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 202 31 14 47 Bobby Labonte JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota 202 30 15 36 Dave Blaney Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 202 301 16 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 202 291 17 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 202 27 18 32 Terry Labonte FAS Lane Racing Ford 202 271 19 26 Tony Raines Front Row Motorsports Ford 202 25 20 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 202 –4 21 39 Ryan Newman Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 202 23 22 83 Landon Cassill BK Racing Toyota 202 22 23 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 201 21 24 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 200 211 25 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Ford 199 19 26 93 David Reutimann BK Racing Toyota 196 18 27 33 Elliott Sadler Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 196 –4 28 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota 194 –4 29 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 189 15 30 98 Michael McDowell Phil Parsons Racing Ford 189 14 31 1 Jamie McMurray Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 188 13 32 2 Brad Keselowski Penske Racing Dodge 187 12 33 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 187 11 34 22 A. J. Allmendinger Penske Racing Dodge 177 10 35 21 Trevor Bayne Wood Brothers Racing Ford 164 –4 36 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 159 8 37 30 David Stremme Inception Motorsports Toyota 156 7 38 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 138 –4 39 51 Kurt Busch Phoenix Racing Chevrolet 113 5 40 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 81 51 41 7 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Dodge 25 3 42 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 1 2 43 34 David Ragan Front Row Motorsports Ford 1 1Sources:1 Includes one bonus point for leading a lap2 Includes two bonus points for leading the most laps3 Includes three bonus points for winning the race4 Ineligible for championship points Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points1 Matt Kenseth 47 2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 42 (−5) 3 Greg Biffle 42 (−5) 4 Denny Hamlin 42 (−5) 5 Jeff Burton 40 (−7)Source: thumb|upright|alt=A head and shoulders portrait of a man in his late thirties. He is wearing black sunglasses and facing near to the camera. He is wearing a blue and white baseball cap which displays the CitiFinancial logo at the front. He is also wearing blue racing overalls, upon the collar which the CitiFinancial is embroidered and on the shoulders and body. Logos for Ford, DeWalt and Sparco are also displayed.|Kenseth (pictured in 2009) became the points leader as a result of his win. Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Manufacturer Points 1 Ford 9 2 Chevrolet 6 (−3) 3 Toyota 4 (−5) 4 Dodge 3 (−6)Source: Note: Only the top five positions are included for the driver standings. Footnotes References 30em Sprint Cup Series 2012 2011 Ford 400 2012 Subway Fresh Fit 500 collapsed Sports Florida United States Daytona 500 Daytona 500 Daytona 500 Category:NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway