2016 Daytona 500

Overview of the auto race February 2025 NAS http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/2016-nascar-schedule.pdf 2016 Sprint Cup Series schedule Jayski's Silly Season Site January 26, 2016 Jayski.com January 30, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160207123034/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/2016-nascar-schedule.pdf February 7, 2016 deadhttp://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/daytona-international-speedway.html Daytona International Speedway NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013 NASCAR.com November 24, 2015 July 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150704230431/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/daytona-international-speedway.html deadEntry List http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=45&RaceID=7176&StatType=Entry+List MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 12, 2016 February 12, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160216153941/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=45&RaceID=7176&StatType=Entry+List February 16, 2016 deadFirst Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 13, 2016 February 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160215103409/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 15, 2016 deadSecond Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-2nd-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 13, 2016 February 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160215103414/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-2nd-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 15, 2016 deadQualifying results http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016qualresults.pdf Jayski.com Jayski's Silly Season Site February 15, 2016 February 14, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221134131/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016qualresults.pdf February 21, 2016 deadThird Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-3rd-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 17, 2016 February 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221130755/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-3rd-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 21, 2016 deadFourth Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-4th-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 17, 2016 February 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221130800/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-4th-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 21, 2016 deadFifth Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-5th-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 18, 2016 February 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221045828/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-5th-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 21, 2016 deadStarting Lineup http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=45&RaceID=7176&StatType=Starting+Lineup MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 19, 2016 February 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222200218/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=45&RaceID=7176&StatType=Starting+Lineup February 22, 2016 deadSixth Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-6th-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 19, 2016 February 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222070626/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-6th-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 22, 2016 deadSeventh Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-7th-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 19, 2016 February 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222042914/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-7th-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 22, 2016 deadFinal Practice Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 20, 2016 February 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160224114230/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2016/02/Daytona-500-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx February 24, 2016 deadDaytona 500 Results http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&RaceID=7176&YearID=45&StatType=Race+Results MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 21, 2016 February 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160302173109/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&RaceID=7176&YearID=45&StatType=Race+Results March 2, 2016 deadPoints standings http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016racereport.pdf Jayski.com Jayski's Silly Season Site February 22, 2016 February 23, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303080059/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016racereport.pdf March 3, 2016 deadManufacturer standings http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016racereport.pdf Jayski.com Jayski's Silly Season Site February 22, 2016 February 23, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303080059/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2016/pdfs/01dis2016racereport.pdf March 3, 2016 dead 2016 02 21 2016 1 36 2016 Daytona 500 logo.png Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida 2.5 4 200 500 800 Mostly sunny skies with a temperature of 74 F C; wind out of the east/southeast at 5 mph km/h on 157.549 mph km/h on Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports 45.845 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing 95 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Fox Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Darrell Waltrip 6.1/11 (Overnight)Paulsen Daytona 500 Overnights Low Despite Thriller Finish http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/02/daytona-500-ratings-fox-overnights-low-hamlin-finish/ SportsMediaWatch.com Sports Media Watch February 22, 2016 February 23, 20166.6/12 (Final)Paulsen 2016 Daytona 500 Second-Lowest Rated Ever http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/02/daytona-500-ratings-second-lowest-since-1979-fox-nascar-viewership-down/ SportsMediaWatch.com Sports Media Watch February 27, 2016 February 26, 201611.4 million viewers MRN Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace Dave Moody (1 & 2), Mike Bagley (Backstretch) and Kyle Rickey (3 & 4) The 2016 Daytona 500, the 58th running of the event, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on February 21, 2016, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Contested over 200 laps on the 2.5 mi km on asphalt superspeedway, it was the first race of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Denny Hamlin won the race in a photo finish over Martin Truex Jr. The top-five was rounded out by Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards. Chase Elliott won the pole for the race and led three laps before crashing out early in the race and finished 37th. Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch won the Duel races. Unlike Busch, Earnhardt Jr. crashed out with 29 laps to go and finished 36th. Hamlin led a race-high of 95 laps on his way to winning the race. There were six caution flag periods for 31 laps and 20 lead changes among 15 different drivers. It was a largely clean race that did not result in the Big One happening, nor did it result in a last-lap accident, a relatively rare occurrence for superspeedway races to not feature such in that era. This was the 27th career victory for Hamlin, first of the season, first at Daytona International Speedway and fifth win at the track for Joe Gibbs Racing. He left Daytona Beach with a five-point lead over Truex Jr. Toyota left with an eight-point lead over Chevrolet in the manufacturer standings. The Daytona 500 was carried by Fox Sports on the broadcast Fox network for the American television audience. The radio broadcast for the race was carried by the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. This event featured guest star WWE wrestler John Cena as a pace car driver. This was the first Daytona 500 since 1992 and 1998 not featuring 3-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart on the starting grid. Gordon retired at the end of 2015 and called the 2016 race from the commentators to stand, and Stewart injured his back while riding a dune buggy outside San Diego. Also, this was the last Daytona 500 starts for Bobby Labonte, Robert Richardson Jr., Michael Annett, Brian Vickers, HScott Motorsports, and Carl Edwards. Report Background thumb|left|Daytona International Speedway, the track where the race was held, the photo above taken a year prior. Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, that is one of six superspeedways to hold NASCAR races, the others being Auto Club Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway.http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ Race Tracks Turner Sports, Inc. NASCAR.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20110628180503/http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/ June 28, 2011 dead The standard track at Daytona is a four-turn superspeedway that is 2.5 mi km out long. The track also features two other layouts that utilize portions of the primary high speed tri-oval, such as a 3.56 mi km on sports car course and a 2.95 mi km on motorcycle course.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Track-Info/Track-Facts.aspx Track facts Daytona International Speedway DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com November 23, 2015 September 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215156/http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Track-Info/Track-Facts.aspx dead The track's 180 acre on infield includes the 29 acre on Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing. The speedway is owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation. The track was built to host racing that was being held by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. at the former Daytona Beach Road Course and opened with the first Daytona 500 in 1959.The History of ISC http://www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com/The-Team/History.aspx International Speedway Corporation June 14, 2015 InternationalSpeedwayCorporation.com November 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032949/http://www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com/The-Team/History.aspx December 1, 2017 dead The speedway has been renovated three times, with the infield renovated in 2004,Daytona Announces Facility Renovation Plans, No Track Alterations http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-announces-facility-renovation-plans-no-track-alterations/ Roadracing World Lake Elsinore, California Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. March 24, 2004 November 23, 2015 and the track repaved in 1978 and 2010.Daytona International Speedway set to repave following the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/04/Daytona-International-Speedway-RP-announcement.aspx DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com Daytona International Speedway November 24, 2015 Daytona Beach, Florida April 24, 2010 The Daytona 500 is regarded as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.What Makes Daytona Special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UfLk32NBl4 Daytona International Speedway YouTube May 10, 2012 2:51 It is also the series' first race of the year; this phenomenon is virtually unique in sports, which tend to have championships or other major events at the end of the season rather than the start. Since 1995, U.S. television ratings for the Daytona 500 have been the highest for any auto race of the year, surpassing the traditional leader, the Indianapolis 500 which in turn greatly surpasses the Daytona 500 in in-track attendance and international viewing. The 2006 Daytona 500 attracted the sixth largest average live global TV audience of any sporting event that year with 20 million viewers.World's most watched TV sports events: 2006 Rank & Trends report Initiative January 19, 2007 http://initiative.com/static/prDec2006.html November 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20070208200248/http://initiative.com/static/prDec2006.html February 8, 2007 dead Changes Restrictor plate For the events of Speedweeks, the size of the holes in the restrictor plates was reduced from 29/32nd of an inch to 57/64th of an inch.Ryan Nate NASCAR changes inspection schedules based on teams' feedback http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/01/25/nascar-changes-inspection-schedules-based-on-teams-feedback/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 6, 2016 Charlotte, North Carolina January 25, 2016 Race procedure Changes were made to the green-white-checker procedure for this race and all races in 2016 with an "overtime line".Fryer Jenna NASCAR creates 'overtime line' in new rules finish http://racing.ap.org/article/nascar-creates-overtime-line-new-rules-finish-0 February 13, 2016 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports February 11, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160213150928/http://racing.ap.org/article/nascar-creates-overtime-line-new-rules-finish-0 February 13, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida The location of this line will vary from track to track, but it'll be located near the middle of the backstretch at most tracks.James Brant NASCAR announces new rules for qualifying and overtime finishes https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/11/daytona-500-qualifying-green-white-checkered-procedures/80232580/ February 13, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 12, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida If the leader passes the line before a caution comes out, the race will end under caution.Jensen Tom NASCAR dramatically retools rules for green-white-checkered finishes http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/daytona-500-green-white-checkered-finishes-rules-sprint-cup-series-talladega-021116 Foxsports.com Fox Sports Digital Media February 13, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 11, 2016 If a caution comes out before the leader passes the line, the field will be reset to their original spots and another restart will be attempted until a "clean restart" is achieved.Pockrass Bob NASCAR unveils new formats with 2016 season set to begin https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/14761928/nascar-tweaks-qualifying-points-formats-well-procedure ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 13, 2016 February 11, 2016 These changes are in response to the botched final restart attempt in last October's 2015 CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega at Talladega Superspeedway.Ryan Nate NASCAR makes major changes to overtime policy http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/02/11/nascar-makes-major-changes-to-overtime-policy/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 13, 2016 February 11, 2016 Entry list The entry list for the Daytona 500 was released on Friday, February 12, at 12:05 p.m. Eastern time. Forty-four cars were entered for the race. Following the 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a number of drivers attempted to run for a different team than they did in 2015. Chase Elliott, 2014 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and son of 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, took over the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet from the retired Jeff Gordon.Caldwell Gray Elliott, Hendrick unveil 2016 No. 24 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevy http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/59410/elliott-hendrick-unveil-2016-no-24-napa-auto-parts-chevy hendrickmotorsports.com Hendrick Motorsports February 12, 2016 Concord, North Carolina October 19, 2015 November 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120034758/http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/59410/elliott-hendrick-unveil-2016-no-24-napa-auto-parts-chevy dead Clint Bowyer took over the No. 15 (renumbered from No. 51) from Justin Allgaier.Oreovicz John Clint Bowyer lands ride with HScott before replacing Tony Stewart https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/13793443/clint-bowyer-lands-ride-hscott-motorsports-replacing-tony-stewart ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 12, 2016 Dover, Delaware October 2, 2015 Brian Scott took over the No. 44 (renumbered from No. 9) from Sam Hornish Jr.Utter Jim http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/brian-scott-to-replace-hornish-at-richard-petty-motorsports-in-2016/ Brian Scott to replace Hornish at Richard Petty Motorsports in 2016 Motorsport.com, Inc. December 9, 2015 Motorsport.com February 12, 2016 Chris Buescher, reigning Xfinity Series champion, took over the No. 34 from Brett Moffitt and various of drivers.James Brant Chris Buescher promoted to Sprint Cup with Front Row https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/12/10/chris-buescher-front-row-roush-fenway-alliance-sprint-cup/77092532/ February 12, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company December 10, 2015 Landon Cassill took over the No. 38 from David Gilliland.Wackerlin Jeff Cassill Ready for Next Chapter http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/01/Landon-Cassill-Ready-for-Next-Chapter.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 12, 2016 Charlotte, North Carolina January 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160213090518/https://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/01/Landon-Cassill-Ready-for-Next-Chapter.aspx February 13, 2016 dead mdy-all David Ragan took over the No. 23 from Jeb Burton, and J. J. Yeley. Regan Smith took over the No. 7 from Alex Bowman. Brian Vickers drove the No. 14 in place of the injured Tony Stewart.Hembree Mike It's Brian Vickers for now, but lots of uncertainty at SHR https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/12/brian-vickers-replace-tony-stewart-daytona-500/80284488/ February 12, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 12, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer 1 Jamie McMurray (W) Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 4 Kevin Harvick (W) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 6 Trevor Bayne (W) Roush Fenway Racing Ford 7 Regan Smith Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 14 Brian Vickers Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 15 Clint Bowyer HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 20 Matt Kenseth (W) Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 22 Joey Logano (W) Team Penske Ford 23 David Ragan BK Racing Toyota 24 Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 26 Robert Richardson Jr. BK Racing Toyota 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 30 Josh Wise The Motorsports Group Chevrolet 31 Ryan Newman (W) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 32 Bobby Labonte Go FAS Racing Ford 34 Chris Buescher (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 35 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 38 Landon Cassill Front Row Motorsports Ford 40 Reed Sorenson Hillman Racing Chevrolet 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 44 Brian Scott (R) Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 48 Jimmie Johnson (W) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 59 Michael McDowell Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Toyota 83 Michael Waltrip (W) BK Racing Toyota 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (W) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 93 Matt DiBenedetto BK Racing Toyota 95 Ty Dillon (i) Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 98 Cole Whitt Premium Motorsports ToyotaOfficial initial entry listOfficial final entry list Practice First practice (February 13) Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 46.364 seconds and a speed of 194.116 mph km/h on.Long Dustin Dale Earnhardt Jr. fastest in first practice Saturday at Daytona http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/02/13/dale-earnhardt-jr-fastest-in-first-practice-saturday-at-daytona/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 13, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 13, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.364 194.116 2 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 46.427 193.853 3 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 46.444 193.782Official first practice results Second practice (February 13) Joey Logano was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 45.934 seconds and a speed of 195.933 mph km/h on.Spencer Lee Penske teammates draft their way to the top of second 500 practice http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/penske-teammates-draft-their-way-to-the-top-of-second-500-practice-673275/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 13, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 13, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 45.934 195.933 2 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 45.954 195.848 3 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 45.966 195.797Official second practice results Qualifying thumb|right|Chase Elliott scored the pole for the Daytona 500. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is different from any other race weekend because the starting lineup for the race – except for the two drivers that post the two fastest timed laps in the final round of qualifying – isn't set on qualifying day. It sets the lineup for the two duel races the following Thursday. Unlike qualifying at non-restrictor plate races, qualifying at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway consists of two rounds of cars being sent out one at a time to make a single timed lap. The fastest 12 advance to the final round to run for the pole position. Chase Elliott scored the pole for the race with a time of 45.845 and a speed of 196.314 mph km/h on.Gluck Jeff Chase Elliott wins pole for Daytona 500 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/14/chase-elliott-wins-pole-daytona-500/80377440/ February 14, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 14, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Elliott became the 6th rookie to win the pole for the Daytona 500 joining Loy Allen Jr. (1994), Jimmie Johnson (2002), David Gilliland (2007), Danica Patrick (2013), and Austin Dillon (2014). He said that today was "a very, very cool day. I don’t know that this opportunity has sunk in yet, much less sitting on the pole for the Daytona 500. I think the big thing is just the team and the Daytona 500 qualifying is about the team guys and the effort they put into these cars and it’s nothing special I did, it’s really what kind of work they did this off-season to make it happen."Wackerlin Jeff Elliott Wins Daytona 500 Pole http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Chase-Elliott-Wins-Daytona-500-Pole.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 14, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 14, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160216153643/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Chase-Elliott-Wins-Daytona-500-Pole.aspx February 16, 2016 dead After qualifying seventh and being all but guaranteed into the Daytona 500 based on speed, Ryan Blaney said that he "wasn't really too nervous going into today. I knew we had a really fast race car. We just had to do our job and we did it and we just had to lock ourselves in. I really wasn't feeling any different than I do any other day."Pockrass Bob Chase Elliott gets pole, Matt DiBenedetto breathes sigh of relief https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14777455/nascar-chase-elliott-gets-pole-matt-dibenedetto-breathes-sigh-relief ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 15, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 14, 2016 Likewise, Matt DiBenedetto – who was also all but guaranteed in on his speed after qualifying 24th – said that he could "sleep well, finally. I was really nervous all night. This is just a testament to the hard work from the guys on my team. Two-hundredths of a second. I'm really thankful, thankful to be racing in my first Daytona 500, most importantly. I'm really thankful and blessed to be here."Willis Ken Like father, like son: Second-generation Elliott becomes youngest to win pole for 500 http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160214/NEWS/160219679/101063/racing February 15, 2016 The Daytona Beach News-Journal GateHouse Media, Inc. February 14, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Martin Truex Jr. was unable to post a time over a roof flap issue.Pockrass Bob Martin Truex Jr. to start at back of Daytona qualifying for violation https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14777981/martin-truex-jr-start-back-daytona-500-qualifying-field-due-roof-flap-violation ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 16, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 14, 2016 The Stewart Haas Racing cars of Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers had their times disqualified after their track bars failed inspection. Qualifying results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer R(1) Best Time in Round (1) R(2) Best Time in Round (2) 1 24 Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.031 45.845 2 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 45.994 45.910 3 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 45.968 45.993 4 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 46.127 46.105 5 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 46.191 46.126 6 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.215 46.192 7 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 46.257 46.214 8 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 46.201 46.231 9 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 46.269 46.234 10 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 46.266 46.267 11 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 46.330 46.270 12 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 46.331 46.282 13 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 46.332 — 14 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.367 — 15 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 46.368 — 16 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 46.407 — 17 95 Ty Dillon (i) Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 46.407 — 18 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 46.421 — 19 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 46.451 — 20 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 46.472 — 21 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 46.536 — 22 44 Brian Scott (R) Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 46.552 — 23 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 46.647 — 24 93 Matt DiBenedetto BK Racing Toyota 46.708 — 25 59 Michael McDowell Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 46.728 — 26 7 Regan Smith Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 46.743 — 27 83 Michael Waltrip BK Racing Toyota 46.776 — 28 34 Chris Buescher (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 46.786 — 29 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 46.804 — 30 32 Bobby Labonte Go FAS Racing Ford 46.922 — 31 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 46.977 — 32 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 47.013 — 33 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 47.046 — 34 15 Clint Bowyer HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 47.059 — 35 38 Landon Cassill Front Row Motorsports Ford 47.073 — 36 26 Robert Richardson Jr. BK Racing Toyota 47.245 — 37 98 Cole Whitt Premium Motorsports Toyota 47.275 — 38 35 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 47.531 — 39 23 David Ragan BK Racing Toyota 47.602 — 40 30 Josh Wise The Motorsports Group Chevrolet 48.056 — 41 40 Reed Sorenson Hillman Racing Chevrolet 49.679 — 42 14 Brian Vickers Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 0.000 - 43 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 0.000 - 44 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Toyota 0.000 - Official qualifying results Key Meaning (1) Round 1 (2) Round 2 Practice (post-qualifying) Third practice (February 17) Michael McDowell was the fastest in the third practice session with a time of 44.961 and a speed of 200.173 mph km/h on.Spencer Lee Roush cars forced to change rear gears as McDowell leads practice http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/roush-cars-forced-to-change-rear-gears-as-mcdowell-leads-practice-674022/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 17, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 17, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 59 Michael McDowell Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 44.961 200.173 2 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 45.019 199.916 3 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 45.086 199.619Official third practice results Fourth practice (February 17) Brian Scott was the fastest in the fourth practice session with a time of 45.045 and a speed of 199.800 mph km/h on.Utter Jim Multi-car wreck mars Wednesday's final Cup practice http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/multi-car-wreck-mars-wednesday-s-final-cup-practice-674023/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 17, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 17, 2016 Kyle Larson and Michael Waltrip will start from the rear of the field in their respective Duel races after being involved in a four-car crash in turn 1.Albert Zack Ty Dillon: 'I hate that we tore up so many race cars' http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/2/17/ty-dillon-wrecks-practice-daytona-international-speedway-ryan-newman-michael-waltrip.html NASCAR.com NASCAR Media Group, LLC. February 17, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 17, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 44 Brian Scott (R) Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 45.045 199.800 2 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 45.052 199.762 3 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 45.061 199.729Official fourth practice results Fifth practice (February 18) Jimmie Johnson was the fastest in the fifth practice session with a time of 46.619 and a speed of 193.054 mph km/h on.Bonkowski Jerry Jimmie Johnson leads final Sprint Cup practice prior to Can-Am Duels http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/02/18/jimmie-johnson-leads-final-sprint-cup-practice-prior-to-can-am-duels/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 18, 2016 February 18, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.619 193.054 2 44 Brian Scott (R) Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 47.394 189.897 3 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 47.394 189.897Official fifth practice results Can-Am Duel 2016 Can-Am Duels The Can-Am Duels are a pair of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races held in conjunction with the Daytona 500 annually in February at Daytona International Speedway. They consist of two races 60 laps and 150 mi km out in length, which serve as heat races that set the lineup for the Daytona 500. The first race sets the lineup for cars that qualified in odd-numbered positions on pole qualifying day, while the second race sets the lineup for cars that qualified in even-numbered positions. The procedure for qualifying changed from the 2015 edition - the Duels now set the lineup for positions 3–38, while positions 39 and 40 are filled by the two "Open" (teams without a charter) cars that set the fastest times in qualifying, but did not lock in a spot in the Duels. Race 1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. put on a clinic leading 43 of 60 laps on his way to scoring his fifth Can-Am Duel race victory.Coble Don Junior, Busch claim Duel races as field set at Daytona 500 http://jacksonville.com/sports/2016-02-18/story/can-am-duel-daytona-earnhardt-busch-win February 19, 2016 The Florida Times-Union Morris Communications February 18, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida He said that it was "real special. I try not to make too big a deal, but I was thinking about that. I'm guilty of daydreaming a bit about winning this race tonight because of the date. That's very special to me, and I was glad that nothing bad happened, we didn't tear our car up, because that would have been embarrassing on a day like this."Oreovicz John Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins Duel 1; Michael McDowell makes 500 field https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14802197/nascar-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-duel-1-michael-mcdowell-makes-daytona-500-field ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 18, 2016 Michael McDowell raced his way into the Daytona 500 while Cole Whitt failed to make the race.Pistone Pete Pete Pistone McDowell, Richardson Make The '500' http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Michael-McDowell-and-Robert-Richardson-Jr-Make-The-Daytona-500.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221190830/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Michael-McDowell-and-Robert-Richardson-Jr-Make-The-Daytona-500.aspx 2016-02-21 dead He said that there was indeed "a lot going on in the off-season. Obviously there was a lot of unknowns with the charter, what was going to happen with that. There was a time where we felt like we were going to be in a tough spot, you know, that we weren't sure if we were going to be able to compete this year at all, whether an open car or charter car. Luckily we were able to put together the partnership with RCR, that alliance. Switching over to Chevy helped strengthen our position there. With Thrivent Financial and KLOVE and all our partners coming onboard, all our sponsors coming onboard, really partnering with Joe Falk at Circle Sport, allowed us to say...” Race 2 Kyle Busch led 35 of 60 laps to score his third career Can-Am Duel win.Fryer Jenna Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch win Daytona qualifying races http://racing.ap.org/article/dale-earnhardt-jr-kyle-busch-win-daytona-qualifying-races February 19, 2016 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports February 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160220092916/http://racing.ap.org/article/dale-earnhardt-jr-kyle-busch-win-daytona-qualifying-races February 20, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida He joked that his "plan was just to have everybody stay single-file and we take the checkered flag, but they didn’t see things the way I did."James Brant Kyle Busch hangs on to win second Can-Am Duel https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/18/kyle-busch-wins-second-can-am-duel-daytona-qualifying/80587864/ February 19, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 18, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida The race ended under caution after a multi-car wreck on the final lap in turn 1 that collected Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr.Pockrass Bob Kyle Busch wins Duel 2 as strong cars torn up in late wreck https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14802185/nascar-kyle-busch-scores-duel-win-last-lap-crash-rearview ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 18, 2016 Jamie McMurray said he "was trying to block the 48 (Jimmie Johnson). I had stalled out right when I got to the 18 car (Kyle Busch), and I didn’t think the 48 had much of a run either. It felt like our momentum was about the same. I saw the replay and I still don’t know if he was up to my rear bumper or if it was the air that made his car turn. I’m just not sure.”Jensen Tom Big crash in Can-Am Duel 2 shakes up Daytona 500 lineup http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/jimmie-johnson-jamie-mcmurray-martin-truex-jr-big-crash-can-am-duel-2-daytona-500-lineup-021816 Foxsports.com Fox Sports Digital Media February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 18, 2016 Johnson said that McMurray "was trying to get underneath the 18 and that didn’t work out, and I creeped up to his outside. He moved up quickly to defend that. I could tell I was going to be taken up into the wall. I tried getting out of there but kind of got into the fence, skipped off the wall and spun out in front of everybody. It was a lot gone wrong, I guess. It’s not like anything was intentional. It’s just a bummer to tear up a car after taking the white flag in a car that we tried so hard to protect and make so fast. There was just a lot gone wrong.” Robert Richardson Jr. transferred into the Daytona 500 while David Gilliland and Reed Sorenson failed to make the race.White Tucker Rowdy Wins The Duel, Richardson Moves On Through http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=106079 SpeedwayMedia.com USA Today Sports Digital Properties February 19, 2016 February 18, 2016 He said that he was "very, very honored to be a part of BK Racing, having another opportunity to run here at the Daytona 500. I’ve been in it once before, but this one is very, very special to me. My wife and I welcomed our brand-new baby boy who was born in early December. Every bit of earnings we get from this race is going to go into a college fund for him. It’s just the good Lord looking down on us and blessing us. Got to give all the glory to Him.” Starting lineup Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Notes 1 24 Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Fastest in pole qualifying 2 20 Matt KensethMatt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., A. J. Allmendinger and Brian Scott started from the rear of the field after going to a backup car post-qualifying.Pockrass Bob Matt Kenseth will start Daytona 500 from rear in backup car after crash https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14804033/matt-kenseth-drops-rear-daytona-500-field-crash ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures February 20, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 19, 2016 Rear "N" Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Second fastest in pole qualifying 3 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Duel race #1 winner 4 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Duel race #2 winner 5 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford Second in Duel 1 6 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Second in Duel 2 7 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford Third in Duel 1 8 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Third in Duel 2 9 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Fourth in Duel 1 10 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Fourth in Duel 2 11 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Fifth in Duel 1 12 95 Ty Dillon (i) Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet Fifth in Duel 2 13 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Seventh in Duel 1 14 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Sixth in Duel 2 15 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford Eighth in Duel 1 16 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Seventh in Duel 2 17 34 Chris Buescher (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford Ninth in Duel 1 18 14 Brian Vickers Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet Eighth in Duel 2 19 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 10th in Duel 1 20 93 Matt DiBenedetto BK Racing Toyota Ninth in Duel 2 21 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 11th in Duel 1 22 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 10th in Duel 2 23 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 12th in Duel 1 24 38 Landon Cassill Front Row Motorsports Ford 11th in Duel 2 25 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 13th in Duel 1 26 48 Jimmie JohnsonRear "N" Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 13th in Duel 2 27 7 Regan Smith Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 15th in Duel 1 28 78 Martin Truex Jr.Rear "N" Furniture Row Racing Toyota 14th in Duel 2 29 23 David Ragan BK Racing Toyota 16th in Duel 1 30 47 A. J. AllmendingerRear "N" JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 15th in Duel 2 31 15 Clint Bowyer HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 18th in Duel 1 32 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 17th in Duel 2 33 32 Bobby Labonte Go FAS Racing Ford 19th in Duel 1 34 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 19th in Duel 2 35 44 Brian Scott (R)Rear "N" Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 20th in Duel 1 36 83 Michael Waltrip BK Racing Toyota 20th in Duel 2 37 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 21st in Duel 1 38 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 22nd in Duel 2 39 59 Michael McDowell Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet Qualifying speed 40 26 Robert Richardson Jr. BK Racing Toyota Qualifying speedDid not qualify 41 35 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 42 30 Josh Wise The Motorsports Group Chevrolet 43 40 Reed Sorenson Hillman Racing Chevrolet 44 98 Cole Whitt Premium Motorsports Toyota Official starting lineup Practice (post-Duel) Sixth practice (February 19) Jimmie Johnson was the fastest in the sixth practice session with a time of 46.372 seconds and a speed of 194.083 mph km/h on.Spencer Lee Johnson, Hamlin lead Friday practice sessions http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/johnson-hamlin-lead-friday-practice-sessions-674492/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 19, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.372 194.083 2 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 46.425 193.861 3 24 Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 46.580 193.216Official sixth practice results Seventh practice (February 19) Denny Hamlin was the fastest in the seventh practice session with a time of 45.077 seconds and a speed of 199.658 mph km/h on.Long Dustin Denny Hamlin leads squadron of Toyotas in Daytona 500 practice http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/02/19/denny-hamlin-leads-toyota-squadron-in-daytona-500-practice/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 19, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 19, 2016 Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 45.077 199.658 2 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 45.308 198.640 3 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Toyota 45.308 198.640Official seventh practice results Final practice (February 20) Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 45.655 seconds and a speed of 197.131 mph km/h on.DeGroot Nick Dale Earnhardt Jr. tops eighth and final Daytona 500 practice http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dale-earnhardt-jr-tops-eighth-and-final-daytona-500-practice-674612/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 20, 2016 February 20, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 45.655 197.131 2 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 45.832 196.369 3 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 45.851 196.288Official final practice results Race First half Start Under clear Florida skies, Chase Elliott led the field to the green flag at 1:33 p.m. He and teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. jumped ahead of Joey Logano to control the field. Earnhardt drove underneath teammate Elliott to take the lead on lap 5. He took to blocking the advance of Logano and Denny Hamlin to hold the lead. Kyle Busch dove underneath Earnhardt going into turn 3 to take the lead on lap 19. The first caution of the race flew the same lap for a two-car wreck on the front stretch. Exiting turn 4, Elliott got loose, came down across the nose of Carl Edwards, slid down into the grass and destroyed the front of his car.Utter Jim Daytona 500 pole-sitter Chase Elliott crashes out before Lap 20 http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-500-pole-sitter-chase-elliott-crashes-out-before-lap-20-674794/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 21, 2016 He said that he "got in middle there a couple of laps before and got loose off of (turn) four and just lost it. I hate it. It had been such a fun week and you hate to end the race before it even got started. Just disappointed for everybody. We will just have to look past it and get on for Atlanta. That is the most important thing now. Can't get caught up in what happened today, it is irrelevant now. We'll try and get it fixed and make some laps. Then its on to Atlanta and if we can make some laps we will and move forward from here." Regan Smith also got turned in the tri-oval. Hamlin exited pit road with the race lead. Michael Waltrip was tagged for his crew being over the wall too soon and restarted the race from the rear of the field.2016 Daytona 500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUUwI8e5ojg February 29, 2016 Sprint Cup Series Sprint Cup Series Fox Sports Fox Daytona Beach, Florida February 21, 2016 68 1:33 p.m. en The race restarted at lap 26. After five laps, Hamlin pulled ahead of Kurt Busch and held the lead unopposed. Jimmie Johnson tried to lead the outside line up towards the front, but it began losing steam and fell back. Eventually, the field jumped to the bottom and ran single-file. The second caution of the race flew on lap 57 for a multi-car wreck on the front stretch. Exiting turn 4, Brian Vickers got loose, overcorrected, spun up the track, spun back down the track and came to a rest at the entrance of pit road. Trying to avoid hitting Vickers, Edwards got turned into the wall by Trevor Bayne who was trying to avoid hitting him as well. Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. swapped the lead on pit road. Johnson exited pit road with the lead after taking just right-side tires. Second quarter The race restarted on lap 62. Johnson and Hamlin ran side-by-side for a number of laps. Eventually, the outside line stalled out and Johnson pulled ahead. It started to regain momentum after Johnson jumped to the top. Kyle Busch drove underneath Johnson in turn 2 to take the lead on lap 79. The third caution of the race flew on lap 92 for a multi-car wreck in turn 2. The wreck involved Matt DiBenedetto and Chris Buescher, who slammed the wall.Olson Jeff Chris Buescher, Matt DiBenedetto endure hard collision at Daytona 500 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/21/chris-buescher-matt-dibenedetto-endure-hard-collision-daytona-500/80707152/ February 22, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Buescher said it was "exponentially the hardest hit I’ve ever taken. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to be taken to the infield care center. That’s a bummer, but we’re fine.” DiBenedetto said he had "no excuse other than I messed up. It happens. We were clean last year, only involved in one accident in 35 races. I hate to start the year that way, but we’re going to be fine.” He would go on to finish 40th.Beard Brock CUP: Matt DiBenedetto trails shortest Cup field since 1996 http://brock.lastcar.info/2016/02/cup-matt-dibenedetto-trails-shortest.html brock.lastcar.info LASTCAR.info February 22, 2016 February 21, 2016 Hamlin exited pit road with the race lead after taking just right-side tires.Bonkowski Jerry Denny Hamlin is halfway leader at Daytona 500, followed by Kenseth, Truex http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/02/21/denny-hamlin-is-halfway-leader-at-daytona-500-followed-by-kenseth-truex/ nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports February 21, 2016 February 21, 2016 Michael Annett was tagged for his crew being over the wall too soon and restarted the race from the rear of the field. Second half Halfway The race restarted on lap 100. The field started to form into three separate lines of racing. But just as quickly as it formed, it disappeared. Debris in turn 3 brought out the fourth caution of the race on lap 119. The debris came from Greg Biffle's car. Hamlin exited pit road with the race lead. Aric Almirola was tagged for an uncontrolled tire and restarted the race from the rear of the field.Inabinett Mark Rewinding the Daytona 500: Denny Hamlin wins by 0.01 seconds http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/02/live_updates_daytona_500_prera.html February 23, 2016 The Birmingham News Advance Publications February 21, 2016 The race restarted on lap 124. After making headway towards the front, the outside line fizzled out. It reformed and began moving back up towards the front. Denny Hamlin and the first five cars hit pit road to kick off a cycle of green flag stops. This handed the lead to Austin Dillon. He pitted the next lap and handed the lead to Brad Keselowski. He pitted the next lap and handed the lead to Annett. He pitted the next lap and the lead cycled to Kenseth. Johnson and Patrick were tagged for their crews being over the wall too soon and Waltrip was tagged for an uncontrolled tire. All three were forced to serve a pass-through penalty. Waltrip was black-flagged for not serving the penalty within three laps. Fourth quarter thumb|right|Denny Hamlin scored his 27th career victory in Sprint Cup, his first in the Daytona 500. The fifth caution of the race flew with 29 laps to go for a single-car wreck in turn 4. Exiting the turn, Earnhardt got loose, turned down the track and slammed the inside wall.Busbee Jay Jay Busbee Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecks out of Daytona 500 with 30 laps left https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/dale-earnhardt-jr--wrecks-out-of-daytona-500-with-30-laps-left-215542306.html sports.yahoo.com Yahoo! Sports February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 21, 2016 He said that he got caught "by surprise there. I was trying to sidedraft the guy beside me. We’ve been working on the balance all day. That was our problem. We underestimated how important handling was going to be today. We had a rocket all week. But in two-car runs and in night races the car handled great. We’ve got to do a little more drafting next time when we come back we’ll be ready for the balance. We were starting to move forward, getting aggressive. Just lost it.”Pistone Pete Pete Pistone Accident Takes Out Earnhardt Jr. http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Accident-Takes-Out-Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-in-Daytona-500.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 22, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160223101324/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Accident-Takes-Out-Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-in-Daytona-500.aspx February 23, 2016 dead The race restarted with 25 laps to go. The sixth caution of the race flew with 18 laps to go for a two-car spin on the backstretch. Heading towards turn 3, Greg Biffle got into the left-rear corner panel of Patrick and sent her spinning through the grass.James Brant Olsen Jeff Danica Patrick has forgettable Daytona 500 after penalty, spin https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/21/danica-patrick-daytona-500-crash-spin-pit-penalty-greg-biffle/80712580/ February 22, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 22, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Her car hopped once through the air and the splitter dug into the ground. Biffle then overcorrected and side-slammed the wall. Patrick said that she was in a position that she "shouldn’t have been in. There is some confusion about whether there actually was a man over the wall too early. We shouldn’t have been racing for the lucky dog.” The race restarted with 12 laps to go. Kenseth remained comfortably in the lead as the outside line continued to lose momentum. Kenseth had asked over the team radio that, since Toyota drivers occupied the top 5 places, they should work as a team until the final lap, at which point they would start racing each other so as to get a team victory and avoid wrecks. When the white flag waved for the final lap, Kevin Harvick in his Chevy drafted up the outside, overtaking the Toyota of Carl Edwards. Denny Hamlin saw the advancing Harvick and jumped to the outside line from 4th to block his advance, was bumped by Harvick on the back straight and drafted all the way to the front past Kyle Busch and Martin Truex and drew alongside his teammate Kenseth. Kenseth came down on Hamlin, got himself loose and fell back to finish 14th. Hamlin and Truex drag raced to the finish line and Hamlin prevailed by 0.010 seconds, the closest in Daytona 500 history.Fryer Jenna Hamlin uses daring move to give Joe Gibbs a Daytona 500 win http://racing.ap.org/article/hamlin-uses-daring-move-give-joe-gibbs-daytona-500-win February 21, 2016 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports February 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222100338/http://racing.ap.org/article/hamlin-uses-daring-move-give-joe-gibbs-daytona-500-win February 22, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Post-race Hamlin said in victory lane that this win "is the best. I mean, it’s just the best. It’s the biggest race of my life. The Daytona 500 is – as a kid what you – this is the pinnacle of our sport and I’m just proud to be here. The last thing I wanted to do was wreck off turn four with my Toyota teammates and none of us win. We had talked about a plan overnight to just work together, work together and I’ve never seen it executed so flawlessly as what we did today.”Pistone Pete Pete Pistone Hamlin Wins Closest Daytona 500 http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Denny-Hamlin-Wins-Daytona-500.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida February 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160223104836/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2016/02/Denny-Hamlin-Wins-Daytona-500.aspx February 23, 2016 dead After coming up just short, Truex said he "did all I thought I could do. I had the lead. I probably should have run him up a little more, just lost in the last second. ... Really proud of everybody. Really proud of the teamwork with the JGR guys. We're team players, and we're in it for the long haul with them. Congrats to Denny. He beat me by a couple of feet.”Gluck Jeff 2016 Daytona 500: Denny Hamlin wins in photo finish https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/02/21/2016-daytona-500-denny-hamlin-wins-photo-finish/80707774/ February 21, 2016 USA Today Gannett Company February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida After an injury kept Kyle Busch out of the previous year's Daytona 500, he said of his third-place finish that it was "definitely a lot better to be in the race where I’m supposed to be than standing on the sidelines watching across the street. It played out real well. We ran up front most of the day. We were probably the top (Joe Gibbs Racing) running car most of the day, but you have to lead the last laps and I didn’t get a chance to.”Ullery Rob Year after missing Daytona 500 with injury, Kyle Busch finishes 3rd http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160221/SPORTS/160229851/101063?Title=Year-after-missing-Daytona-500-with-injury-Kyle-Busch-finishes-3rd February 22, 2016 The Daytona Beach News-Journal GateHouse Media February 21, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida After finishing sixth in his quest to repeat as Daytona 500 champion, Logano said that Harvick "got in front of me and we started moving and then the 11 (Hamlin) saw that and jumped up there and got the push from both of us and then it was a heck of a finish. I don’t like being behind watching it. I want to be involved with it. Overall it is a great start for our Shell Pennzoil team and we kicked off the season with a bunch of great finishes down here in Daytona and we are looking forward to getting to Atlanta."White Tucker Denny Hamlin Wins The Daytona 500 http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=106196 SpeedwayMedia.com USA Today Sports Digital Properties February 22, 2016 February 21, 2016 After going from the lead to 14th on the final lap, Kenseth said that he "wouldn't trade that position for anybody in the whole field. I didn't really think the outside was going to muster up enough run to get it to be honest with you. Somehow, (Hamlin) just got a massive run. Hindsight I probably should have stayed in front of Martin and tried to race him back to the line. It looked like he was going so fast I could get in front of him and get a little boost and I just couldn't."Gelston Dan Kenseth goes from 1st to worst feeling after Daytona fade http://racing.ap.org/article/kenseth-goes-1st-worst-feeling-after-daytona-fade February 22, 2016 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports February 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160223094220/http://racing.ap.org/article/kenseth-goes-1st-worst-feeling-after-daytona-fade February 23, 2016 Daytona Beach, Florida Race results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps completed Points 1 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 200 45 2 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Toyota 200 40 3 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 200 39 4 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 200 37 5 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 200 36 6 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 200 35 7 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 200 34 8 7 Regan Smith Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 200 33 9 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 200 33 10 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 200 31 11 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 200 31 12 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 200 29 13 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 200 28 14 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 200 28 15 59 Michael McDowell Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 200 26 16 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 200 26 17 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 200 24 18 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 200 23 19 21 Ryan Blaney (R) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 200 22 20 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 200 22 21 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 200 20 22 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 200 19 23 38 Landon Cassill Front Row Motorsports Ford 200 18 24 44 Brian Scott (R) Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 200 18 25 95 Ty Dillon (i) Circle Sport – Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet 200 0 26 14 Brian Vickers Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 200 15 27 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 200 15 28 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 200 13 29 23 David Ragan BK Racing Toyota 200 13 30 83 Michael Waltrip BK Racing Toyota 200 12 31 32 Bobby Labonte Go FAS Racing Ford 200 11 32 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 199 9 33 15 Clint Bowyer HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 199 8 34 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 198 7 35 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 184 6 36 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 169 6 37 24 Chase Elliott (R) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 160 5 38 26 Robert Richardson Jr. BK Racing Toyota 135 3 39 34 Chris Buescher (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 91 2 40 93 Matt DiBenedetto BK Racing Toyota 91 1Official Daytona 500 results Race statistics 20 lead changes among 15 different drivers 6 cautions for 31 laps Time of race: 3 hours, 10 minutes, 25 seconds Average speed: 157.549 mph km/h on Difference between 1st and 2nd: 0.01 seconds Lap leaders Laps Leader 1-3 Chase Elliott (R) 4-17 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 18-21 Kyle Busch 22 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 23 Ryan Newman 24-57 Denny Hamlin 58 Martin Truex Jr. 59 Bobby Labonte 60-77 Jimmie Johnson 78-92 Kyle Busch 93 David Ragan 94 Michael Waltrip 95-119 Denny Hamlin 120 Martin Truex Jr. 121-155 Denny Hamlin 156 Austin Dillon 157 Brad Keselowski 158 Michael Annett 159 Brian Scott (R) 160-199 Matt Kenseth 200 Denny HamlinTotal laps led Leader Laps Denny Hamlin 95 Matt Kenseth 40 Kyle Busch 19 Jimmie Johnson 18 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 15 Chase Elliott (R) 3 Martin Truex Jr. 2 Austin Dillon 1 Ryan Newman 1 Brad Keselowski 1 Brian Scott (R) 1 Michael Annett 1 David Ragan 1 Michael Waltrip 1 Bobby Labonte 1 Race awards Coors Light Pole Award: Chase Elliott (45.845, 196.314 mph km/h on) American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Paul Menard Duralast Brakes "Bake In The Race" Award: Kyle Busch Ingersoll Rand Power Move: Michael McDowell (16 positions) MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Toyota Racing Development, #11 Mobil 1 Driver of the Race: Denny Hamlin (139.1 driver rating) Moog Steering and Suspension Problem Solver of The Race: Carl Edwards (crew chief Dave Rogers (0.239 seconds)) NASCAR Sprint Cup Leader Bonus: No winner: rolls over to $20,000 at next event Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap: A. J. Allmendinger Sunoco Rookie of The Race: Ryan Blaney Media Television NASCAR on television and radio#Beyond the United States Since 2001 – with the exception of 2002, 2004 and 2006 – the Daytona 500 has been carried by Fox in the United States. The booth crew consisted of longtime NASCAR lap-by-lap announcer Mike Joy, three-time Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon, and 1989 race winner Darrell Waltrip. Pit road was manned by Jamie Little, Chris Neville, Vince Welch and Matt Yocum. Fox TelevisionBooth announcersPit reporters Lap-by-lap: Mike JoyColor-commentator: Jeff GordonColor commentator: Darrell Waltrip Jamie LittleChris NevilleVince WelchMatt Yocum Radio The race was broadcast on radio by the Motor Racing Network – which has covered the Daytona 500 since 1970 – and simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. The booth crew consisted of longtime announcer Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and 1989 Sprint Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace. Longtime turn announcer – and prodigy of MRN co-founder Ken Squier – Dave Moody was the lead turn announcer. He called the Daytona 500 from atop the Sunoco tower outside the exit of turn 2 when the field was racing through turns 1 and 2. Mike Bagley worked the backstretch for the Daytona 500 from a spotter's stand on the inside of the track. Kyle Rickey called the Daytona 500 when the field was racing through turns 3 and 4 from the Sunoco tower outside the exit of turn 4. On pit road, MRN was manned by lead pit reporter and NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley. He was joined on pit road by Steve Post and Alex Hayden. MRN RadioBooth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters Lead announcer: Joe MooreAnnouncer: Jeff StriegleAnnouncer: Rusty Wallace Turns 1 & 2: Dave MoodyBackstretch: Mike BagleyTurns 3 & 4: Kyle Rickey Alex HaydenWinston KelleySteve Post Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 10px 1 Denny Hamlin 45 10px 2 Martin Truex Jr. 40 (–5) 10px 3 Kyle Busch 39 (–6) 10px 4 Kevin Harvick 37 (–8) 10px 5 Carl Edwards 36 (–9) 10px 6 Joey Logano 35 (–10) 10px 7 Kyle Larson 34 (–11) 10px 8 Regan Smith 33 (–12) 10px 9 Austin Dillon 33 (–12) 10px 10 Kurt Busch 31 (–14) 10px 11 Ryan Newman 31 (–14) 10px 12 Aric Almirola 29 (–16) 10px 13 Kasey Kahne 28 (–17) 10px 14 Matt Kenseth 28 (–17) 10px 15 Michael McDowell 26 (–18) 10px 16 Jimmie Johnson 26 (–18)Official driver's standings Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Manufacturer Points 10px 1 Toyota 45 10px 2 Chevrolet 37 (–8) 10px 3 Ford 35 (–10)Official manufacturers' standings Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings. Notes "N" References 30em Sprint Cup Series 2016 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 2016 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Florida Sports Category:2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Category:2016 in sports in Florida Category:NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway Category:February 2016 sports events in the United States