It was Brian Scott’s race to lose on Saturday night at the Daytona International Speedway, and after a late race block, he did. Emerging from the melee was Austin Dillon, who survived as a frenzied late-race battle to win the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola.
Dillon, driving the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, outraced veteran Elliott Sadler and reigning NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott in a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. The RCR driver is one of eight “double duty” drivers this weekend, competing in both the Subway Firecracker 250 and Sunday night’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, in which he’ll start second alongside polesitter Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Both Sadler and Elliot weren’t very pleased with the way the race ended, but were happy with the big picture implications for the season as a whole.
A number of contenders were eliminated in a 12-car incident on Lap 91, which brought out a red flag that lasted 10 minutes and seven seconds. After a few laps run under caution, the race went back to green but only for two laps, as another 12-car incident caused the race’s final caution period. That set up the green-white-checkered sprint.
Dillon steered clear of trouble both times en route to his first win at Daytona International Speedway, site of many victories for car owners Richard Childress – Dillon’s grandfather.
“This is Daytona … so many family memories here,” Dillon said. “I’m just happy for my grandfather. This is the favorite win of my career.”
Tickets for Sunday night’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola – set for 7:45 p.m. Sunday – can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #CokeZero400 and #SubwayFirecracker250. Fans also can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter,Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news all season long. Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
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