Daytona 500

Nascar Ceo Warns Drivers About Blocking

... do, and I’m going to do this today, is bring up a competition issue,” France said. “This is for the drivers and what I want you to think about. We realize blocking is part of racing. We understand that. We accept that. “When you block somebody out there, and it’s going to happen today, it causes almost all the big incidents. Do not look for NASCAR. You better hope there’s a Good Samaritan behind you who is going to accept that block, because they have that lane and the right to it. And I don’t often make those statements, but I think it’s important today as we go into our most important event to make that really clear with our competitors.”. The exact intent of France’s message was unclear. As several drivers left the meeting, they commented that they were confused by what was said, a couple were laughing about what they felt were bizarre ...

Rob Gronkowski, Waka Flocka Flame And A Bunch Of Random Celebs Unite Over Daytona 500

... soaking up the scene and culture of their first Daytona 500 – which starts at 2 p.m. ET Sunday – and even learning a little. “I’m 30, I’m an ‘80 s baby, so us growing up, all we had was fast and furious NASCAR games – Sega and NASCAR was major when we were kids – Commodore 64, it was amazing,” Waka Flocka told For The Win. “So just to come here is different. I thought it was just a bunch of oil changes, tires and car crashes, but actually, it’s a real sport.”. Mike Di Novo-USA TODAY Sports. Keanu Reeves is also taking notes, but his learning serves a bigger purpose. The actor is starring in the movie “Rally Car,” which is centered on a fictional NASCAR making a comeback. Because it’s his first race, he’s can’t wait to see it up close in person. “[It’s cool] coming to a race that has so much history and legacy for the sport and the culture,” ...

What Advice Owen Wilson Got From Vince Vaughn About Being The Daytona 500 Grand Marshal

... 4. 196 shares. By: Michelle R. Martinelli | February 26, 2017 12:48 pm Follow @MMartinelli 4. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Although he’s excited about the honor, Owen Wilson is actually the second “Wedding Crashers” star to serve as the Daytona 500 Grand Marshal. Vince Vaughn was the Grand Marshal for the Great American Race two years ago. Prior to the race, Wilson will deliver the famous racing line: “Drivers, start your engines” and take a couple laps around the track before the green flag flies, indicating the official start of the 200-lap race. So what advice did Vaughn offer Wilson. AP Photo/Terry Renna. “He actually sent me a text the other day and his big tip was not to watch his You Tube clip of him doing it because why see perfection?” Wilson said with a smile. “That was his thing – remember ...

Daytona 500, Demolition Derby And All, Is Again Like No Other Sporting Spectacle

... race leader Kyle Larson both ran out of  gas on the last lap. The racing was so intense and the competition so fierce, Elliott stormed away from the track without talking to the media. He was no doubt second-guessing himself and wishing he had done something different on the fateful final lap. “If wishes were fishes, the world would be an ocean,” second-place finisher Ryan Blaney said philosophically. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what sports is all about and why the Daytona 500 is so spectacular: Because anything can happen — and often does. How else do you explain the top five finishers Sunday being Kurt Busch, Blaney,  A. J. Allmendinger ,  Aric Almirola  and  Paul Menard. This would be like the Orlando Magic starting five winning the  NBA  championship. Unlike the NBA season, which is essentially a seven-month exhibition before the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors once again meet for the championship, anybody can win the ...

Daytona 500 An Eventful One For Cassill, Gase

... have any hope to make it five, they will need to dig out of an ever-increasing hole. Cedar. ». Daytona 500 an eventful one for Cassill, Gase. Cedar Rapids natives caught up in multiple multicar wrecks; Cassill ends up 16 th, Gase 23 rd. Cedar Rapids natives Joey Gase (23) and Landon Cassill (34) race down the frontstretch on Lap 3 of the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Jeremiah Davis/The Gazette). The battered car of Cedar Rapids native Landon Cassill sits in the garage area after the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Cassill finished 16 th. (Jeremiah Davis/The Gazette). The battered car of Cedar Rapids native Joey Gase sits on pit road after the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Gase finished 23 rd. (Jeremiah Davis/The Gazette). Jeremiah Davis. More stories from Jeremiah. Feb 26, 2017 at 7:45 pm | Print View. DAYTONA BEACH, ...

All-time Daytona 500 Winners By Year

... concussion in a six-week span. He admitted he raced at less than peak mental acuity, hoping his reflexes would hold up against dangerous conditions while driving nearly 200 mph. Chris Graythen, Getty Images. Earnhardt gave teammate Jimmie Johnson a ride after both crashed on the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway. Sean Gardner, Getty Images. Earnhardt suffered his second concussion in a six-week span when he was involved in a 25-car crash on the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 7. Marvin Gentry, US Presswire. Shown here celebrating with then-crew chief Tony Eury Jr. in 2008, Earnhardt parted ways with his cousin professionally this year, reshaping JR Motorsports. Eury had served as Danica Patrick's Nationwide crew chief since she joined the circuit in 2010. John Raoux, AP. Earnhardt made the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the fifth time this season. His best points finish since NASCAR went to the Chase format in 2004 is fifth - in 2004 and 2006. Tyler Barrick, Getty Images. Earnhardt has won ...

Kurt Busch Earns First Win At The Great American Race

... of gas. 5 h ago. • 1 min read. Kurt Busch is your 2017 Daytona 500 champion. After not leading a lap all day, the 38-year-old jumped in front of the pack down the back stretch, getting past Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, who ran out of fuel. It was Busch’s 29 th career win in the Monster Energy Cup Series. Busch had come up just short at Daytona before, tallying five top-fives, including two second-place finishes. But after starting eighth and floating around the field all day, Busch found himself in contention on the final lap and took full advantage. “The more that becomes unpredictable about Daytona, the more it becomes predictable to predict unpredictably. I mean this car was completely thrashed, not a straight panel on it,” Busch said after the race. “The strategy today, who knew what, to pit when. Everybody’s wrecking as soon as we’re done with the second segment. The more that I’ve run this race, the more that I’ve thrown caution to the wind and just let it rip. That group put on a fantastic run to the end and everyone did a get job not to wreck each other.”. Busch, who need some assistance down the ...

Elliott Seeks First Win As He Leads Start Of Daytona 500

... there’s been a little bit of hesitancy and doubt in what he’s capable of doing on the restrictor-plate tracks (like Daytona). He gained a lot of knowledge and experience last year and now I see that paying off. He’s a quick study. “What he did (Thursday) night was one of the most impressive things that I’ve seen him do yet.”. Elliott, 21, has long been mentioned as a future face of NASCAR and winning will only help his profile grow more in the sport. Despite zero visits to Victory Lane, Elliott had a successful rookie campaign. Elliott led a lap and finished fifth in the spring race at Texas Motor Speedway; he had two runner-up finishes at Michigan; and he made NASCAR’s version of the playoffs and came in 10 th. Elliott has carried that into his sophomore campaign with a hot start by winning the pole and the duel. Much like Elliott, Gordon’s first ...

Rex Ryan Meets With Fox Executive, Takes In Daytona 500 With Brother Rob

... Patrick (10) and Michael Waltrip (83) race during the second segment. Waltrip is racing in his 30 th and final Daytona 500. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports. Kyle Busch (18), leads Denny Hamlin (11) and Martin Truex Jr. (78) during the first segment. Busch won the opening stage. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports. An official waves the green checkered flag to signal the end of the first race segment. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports. Chase Elliott, bottom right, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (bottom left, ) lead the field to start the 59 th running of the Daytona 500. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Spor. The field crosses the start-finish line as the green flag flies. Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports. The U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover during the national anthem. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports. Team owner Rick Hendrick, left, stands on the grid with Hendrick Motorsports drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., center, and Chase Elliott right. Elliott, the polesitter, and Earnhardt started on the front row. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports. ...