Speeds over 200 mph. Three wide racing to the end. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had time at the front. So did Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Excellent announcing on FOX. Nice weather. What was there not to love about the Daytona 500?
After an incredibly eventful Speedweeks, here is what was surprising and not surprising from NASCAR’s first and one of the biggest races of the season, the 57th annual Daytona 500.
Kurt Busch’s latest attempt to overturn his suspension by NASCAR was denied Saturday evening. His appeal was heard by Bryan Moss, the National Motorsports Finals Appeals officer. Moss’s decision is final and cannot be appealed within NASCAR.
NASCAR indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch Friday afternoon “following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.”
Family Court Commissioner David Jones ordered Kurt Busch to stay away from ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll in court documents signed Monday. The order is effective immediately and will expire February 16, 2016.
*Kurt Busch debuts the No. 007 car at Daytona and executes a last-lap pass of Denny Hamlin to win the 500. In post-race interviews, Busch goes on a ten minute rant and bad-mouths the entire NASCAR community, earning him the nickname “American Sniper.”
The countdown has begun to the start of a new season, with less than ten days to go before the Sprint Unlimited exhibition race at Daytona. A new campaign, some new teams and some new expectations.
