Coke Zero 400: Hundred-mile breakdowns

DAYTONA BEACH – Tony Stewart survived several major crashes to capture the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night.

Stewart took the checkered flag while a multiple-car pile-up was taking place behind him.


It was the second major wreck of the evening, the first occurred when Denny Hamlin lost control of the No. 11 Toyota in Turn 1 causing a multiple car wreck on Lap 153 and bringing out the fifth caution of the night.

Jeff Burton was second with Matt Kenseth finishing third.

Stewart originally qualified second but his time was disallowed after his No. 14 Chevy failed a post-qualifying inspection when NASCAR found an open cooling hose in his cockpit. He was pushed to the rear of the field.

The third caution of the night occurred on Lap 124 when Jimmie Johnson spun out his No. 48 Lowe's Chevy in Turn 4. The wreck involved seven cars including Bill Elliott's No. 50 Chevy, knocking both drivers out of the race.

During the wreck, race leaders Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle headed to pit row but the pits were closed. Kenseth continued on without stopping but his Roush Fenway Racing teammate stopped. NASCAR accessed a penalty on Biffle, forcing the No. 16 Ford to the back of the field on the restart.

After the caution, Tony Stewart took the lead on the restart.

Brad Keselowski brought out the fourth caution of the evening when he got loose and spun out in Turn 2 on Lap 142.

300 MILES

Matt Kenseth led after 300 miles.

Kenseth dominated much of the race so far leading 78 of the 120 laps.

His Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle was second at that point.

Sam Hornish Jr. was the first caution of the night after his tire on the No. 22 car blew apart. Hornish Jr. was a last-second replacement driver for AJ Allmendinger, who was suspended earlier in the day by NASCAR after he failed a random drug test.

During the caution, Jeff Gordon clipped Ryan Newman in the pits sending his teammate spinning into Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Dodge in the stall. Both cars appeared to be OK but caused some early concern.

The second caution of the night occurred on Lap 91 when Kurt Busch tried to squeeze his No. 51 Chevy into the middle of the pack in Turns 3 and 4. Busch's car spun out and tapped the No. 21 of Trevor Bayne.

The wreck sent Busch to the garages for the evening.

Gordon was third followed by Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch to round out the top five.

200 MILES