Date: February 23, 2013
Event: DRIVE4COPD 300 (Race 1 of 33)
Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series
Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval)
Start / Finish: 7th / 32nd (Engine, completed 100 of 120 laps)
Winner: Tony Stewart of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
From a top-10 starting spot, Busch quickly made work of the field, driving to third during lap one, then to first place by lap six. The NASCAR veteran would lead four times during the 120-lap event. Busch immediately commented to his team over the radio, “I’m seeing pack style instead of tandem.” Further race activity would prove that finding ‘dance’ partners was key and Busch saw himself hooking up with JGR teammates Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth primarily, but sometimes with other team drivers such as Justin Allgaier or even brother Kurt Busch.
Early in the race the team discovered a tight-handling car when Busch drove out of the corners. He felt the condition worsened however throughout the race. Crew chief Adam Stevens tackled the condition with tire air pressure adjustments and track-bar changes over the course of five pit road visits. Another hurdle presented itself when engine temperatures appeared high. At the time, Busch declared he could stabilize the overheating issue, but knew it could grow into a larger problem by the end.
While battling through the condition, Busch found himself in the middle of a pack that ultimately elevated the engine temperature to a point that caused it to expire. Although Busch had led event laps and was trading positions within the top-10 competitors at the end, the new team’s initial season run came to a close as Busch brought the ailing machine back to the garage, firming up a 32nd-place result.
Busch commented afterwards, “Last year we ran our cars at 260 (degrees) or 270 all day and today I was about 250 to 260 so I thought being less I was going to be okay and not hurt anything. I never really thought I pushed too much water out, but there at the end it just started to heat up, the oil temperature got hot and the thing never wanted to cool back down. I assumed it was short lived, what was going to happen.
Hate it for all my guys. It was entirely my fault – just pushing too hard during most of the day. Running behind Matt (Kenseth) there trying to get air and I couldn’t get air. He (Kenseth) kept backing up to me to get pushed and I’m like, ‘Man I can’t.’ I just went a little too long.”
Tony Stewart recorded his 19th Daytona NASCAR Nationwide Series victory, and seventh-time in the last nine season opening events. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Elliott Sadler, Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers finished 15th, 16th and 19th respectively. Sam Hornish Jr., Alex Bowman, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch’s own team driver Parker Kligerman completed the top-five finishers. There were seven caution periods for 26 laps of the race along with 34 lead changes across 20 drivers.
The No. 54 Monster Energy team stands 32nd in the Owner’s Point standings, 34 points from the lead.
Source: Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release
Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford
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