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Katie Loomis
NASCAR Analyst
NASCAR Busch Series @ Daytona
Int'l Speedway
They say Dale Earnhardt Sr. could see the air at
restrictor plate races, but the prospective future Cup
drivers in this week’s Busch series race at Daytona
struggled just to see the checkered flag.
Friday evening’s race at the historic Daytona
International Speedway was rescheduled for Saturday
morning due to rain. As the cars had been set up for 200
miles of night racing, a competition caution was set for
lap 20 to make adjustments. Even with the adjustments,
many prospects still struggled.
Steve Wallace
continues to be fast week-in and week-out; however, he
has yet to finish in the top spot.
Wallace started in the
29th position and steadily worked his way through the
field, running as high as 15th. A cut tire sent him
spinning and he was eventually t-boned in the driver
side door by the car of David Reutimann. Wallace's
Dodge was done for the night, finishing a dismal 39th.
"Three" was the word of the day for
Aric Almirola.
Starting 3rd for the Daytona event, his evening went
downhill when contact with another car during a caution
period damaged his Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet. After
making a second pit stop to begin repairing the damage
to his nose and grill, Almirola went three laps down.
Throughout the remainder of the race, he battled back
and found himself able to capitalize on receiving three
free passes and eventually get himself back on the lead
lap to 30th before the checkered flag.
Macros Ambrose
came to Daytona 2nd in the in the NBS Rookie of the Year
standings. Nearing the halfway point of the race, it
looked as if Ambrose was well on his way to a
top-fifteen finish, but that would not be the
case. After contact with Scott Wimmer, Ambrose’s
Ford cut a left rear tire and was forced to make an
unscheduled pit stop. The costly incident would
relegate him to 35th place, one lap down. His Wood
Brothers/JTG Racing teammate,
Kelly Bires
finished 27th after being named the permanent driver for
the team's No. 47 entry.
Kentucky winner
Stephen Leicht
had a less-than solid race in his Robert Yates Racing
Ford. The North Carolinian finished 27th after qualifying 21st.
Shane Huffman
was replaced in the No. 88 car for the Daytona event in
favor of team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Huffman’s
status is yet to be determined for the remainder of the
Busch Series season or at JR Motorsports.
The NASCAR Busch Series will take to the track next
Saturday, July 14, at Chicagoland Speedway.
Official Finishing Order:
1. K. Busch
(5); 2. K. Harvick (21); 3. D. Blaney (10); 4. T.
Stewart (18); 5. C. Bowyer (2); 6. K. Kahne (9); 7. R.
Sorenson (41); 8. C. Mears (24); 9. J. Leffler (38); 10.
D. Gilliland (25); 11. C. Edwards (60); 12. B. Hamilton
Jr. (35); 13. B. Vickers (32); 14. D. Earnhardt Jr.
(88); 15. M. Wallace (7); 16. K. Bires (47); 17. M.
Bliss (22); 18. J. McMurray (37); 19. W. Burton (27);
20. K. Krisiloff (14); 21. T. Raines (33); 22. J. Yeley
(1); 23. B. Labonte (77); 24. B. Sherman (36); 25. K.
Earnhardt (63); 26. R. Richardson (28); 27. S. Leicht
(90); 28. A. Almirola (20); 29. R. Smith (4); 30. J.
Montoya (42); 31. S. Wimmer (29); 32. M. Green (70); 33.
K. Lepage (01); 34. D. Ragan (6); 35. M. Ambrose (59);
36. E. McClure (0); 37. G. Biffle (16); 38. L. Foyt
(56); 39. St. Wallace (66); 40. D. Reutimann (99); 41.
D. Neuenberger (52); 42. J. Ashburn (05)
July 10, 2007
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