Track: Daytona International Speedway
Race: Coke Zero 400
Date: July 2, 2016
No. 2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion – Brad Keselowski
Start: 5th
Finish: 1st – 20th career win
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 161/161
Laps Led: 115
Points Position (behind leader): 2nd (-14)
Recap: Brad Keselowski scored his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) win at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford Fusion on Saturday night. After a solid qualifying effort that saw him start the race from the fifth position, Keselowski wasted little time in showing the speed of his Ford as he moved into the top spot on lap nine and kept the lead until the NASCAR-mandated caution at lap 20. He remained in the lead despite radioing that his engine temperatures were running dangerously high due to debris buildup on his grille. Keselowski pulled one of the best moves of the night as he used the rear bumper of the No. 1 car of Jamie McMurray to remove the debris without losing the lead in the process. The 2012 NSCS champion kept his No. 2 Ford at the front of the field for the remainder of the field, never falling lower than fifth in the running order to set himself up for the win. Keselowski and Kyle Busch engaged in a great side-by-side battle during the final laps before Keselowski got enough of a push from his teammate, Joey Logano. He would hold the lead through a green-white-checkered finish for his third win of 2016, tied for the highest mark in the series. The victory marked the 100th NSCS win for Team Penske in the team’s 50th year in motorsports.
Quote: “This is my 250th start, year 50 for Team Penske, 100th Cup win for Team Penske, my 20th win, and we finished first with the Detroit Genuine Parts Ford. I like that number the best. But really happy and proud for our team to be in victory lane tonight. It was a good effort for us for sure. The wins are never easy to come by, and I think this one means a lot to me for sure because looking at our past here, it hasn’t been all that rosy. I was telling Roger Penske when I was in victory lane and the fireworks were going off, usually I’m loading up the car and about to be to the airport, so it’s nice to be here and have a great finish.”
No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion – Joey Logano
Start: 11th
Finish: 4th
Status: Running
Laps Completed: 161
Laps Led: 6
Points Position (behind leader): 4th (-34)
Recap: Joey Logano started 11th and finished fourth in the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion in the Coke Zero 400 Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. As the race began, Logano quickly moved to the top-five and ran in the top 10 for the majority of the 161 lap contest. Logano’s Shell-Pennzoil crew helped their driver to the lead on a pit stop at lap 98 continuing their trend of outstanding pit performances. At lap 132 crew chief Todd Gordon made the call to take four tires when a majority of the field elected two tires or no tires on what would be the final pit stop of the race. Gordon’s strategy proved to be the correct one as Logano worked his way through the field in 15 laps and was in position to help push teammate and eventual race winner Brad Keselowski on the final restart, propelling him on to Team Penske’s 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. For Logano the top-five finish marked his fourth consecutive as the Shell-Pennzoil crew begins to hit their midseason stride. Logano moved to fourth in the championship standings with one victory in the 2016 campaign.
Quote: “It was hard fought for sure. Anytime you have an opportunity to win and you are in the top four or five or six on the last restart you know you have a shot at it. I was able to get Brad a good push to clear and get a Penske car to victory lane for the 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win for Team Penske. Todd Gordon made a great call to put four tires on which allowed us to be aggressive at the end. I hate that I got into Kurt (Busch) there at the end racing to the line. I had a run to turn up underneath him and when you do that the cars get free and then I was there and he tried to catch it and I was there again. It is a product of this racing but I hate that it happened. The last thing I want to do is hit someone like that. Unfortunately, it happened. Overall a solid day for us. The 2 was the fastest car and he deserved to win the race. We need to find a little more speed in our race car.”
