DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – Brad Keselowski finally won at Daytona International Speedway, a track where victory had eluded him despite strong success in restrictor-plate races.
Brad Keselowski wins for the first time at Daytona
He fended off Kyle Busch to land first Daytona win.
July 3, 2016 at 11:39PM
Keselowski has four career victories at Talladega Superspeedway, including a win there in May. But he could never pull it off at Daytona, at least not until Saturday night's dominating run. He and his No. 2 Ford crew kept chipping away at it even after he had a disappointing run in the season-opening Daytona 500.
"I've doubted myself here," said Keselowski, who had just three top-10 finishes in 14 previous starts at Daytona.
The win was the 100th for Team Penske.
"This is huge, I love this place," Keselowski said.
The race was marred by a 22-car wreck that collected more than half the field. It really left only Kyle Busch as a legitimate contender, but he couldn't make up ground after a restart for a two-lap shootout that sent it into overtime.
Keselowski easily held off Busch. Trevor Bayne finished third and was followed by Keselowski teammate Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as Ford drivers took four of the top five spots. Dale Earnhardt Jr., the defending race winner, placed 21st.
A massive pileup occurred on the 90th lap. Jamie McMurray triggered the wreck, which took out all four Hendrick Motorsports cars and pole-sitter Greg Biffle, among others, by getting sideways, bouncing off Kyle Larson and spinning in front of the field.
"Somebody might have gotten into my left rear," McMurray said. "I don't know if that cut the tire down or what, but after I felt that happen, I just didn't have any control any more."
about the writer
The drag racing series’ annual visit to Minnesota came with the playoffs looming next month.
