The2010 Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola,the 52nd running of theevent,was aNASCARSprint Cup Seriesrace held on July 3, 2010, atDaytona International SpeedwayinDaytona Beach, Floridaas the 18th race – and official halfway point – of the2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.It was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.US EDT,but began at 9:24 US EDT due to a rain delay the race began. It was telecast onTNTandMotor Racing Network(terrestrial) andSirius XM Radio(satellite) by radio at 6:30 p.m. EDT.[1]
| Race details[1][2][3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 18 of 36 in the2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | |||
 The 2010 Coke Zero 400 program cover, featuringTony Stewart. | |||
| Date | July 3–4, 2010 | ||
| Official name | Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola | ||
| Location | Daytona International SpeedwayinDaytona Beach, Florida. | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 2.5 mi (4 km) | ||
| Distance | 166 / 160 laps, 415 / 400 mi (668 / 643.7 km) | ||
| Weather | Scattered T-storms with a high around 86; wind out of the ENE at 10 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. | ||
| Average speed | 130.814 miles per hour (210.525 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Richard Childress Racing | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | |
| Laps | 28 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | Turner Network Television | ||
| Announcers | Adam Alexander,Wally Dallenbach Jr.andKyle Petty | ||
That was first plate race without the 2002 winnerMichael Waltripand he was rumored to run the No. 15NAPA Auto PartsToyotawith his2001 Daytona 500winning throwback, but however he did not enter the race.
Kevin Harvickwon the race, whileKasey Kahnefinished second andJeff Gordonfinished third. There were a total of nine cautions, one red flag, and 47 lead changes among 18 different drivers.
This was also the final race at Daytona on the pavement surface used since 1979. Re-paving the track was moved up two years due to pothole problems in the2010 Daytona 500.Several preventive repairs were made between practice and qualifying sessions, but there were no delays at any time through the weekend because of potholes. Repaving began almost immediately after the race.
Report
editBackground
editPrior to the race,Richard Childress RacingdriverKevin Harvickled the Drivers' Championship with 2,489 points, andHendrick MotorsportsdriverJimmie Johnsonwas second with 2,384 points.[4]Behind them in the Drivers' Championship,Kyle Buschwas third with 2,328 points in a Toyota, and Kyle Busch's teammateDenny Hamlinwas fourth with 2,304 points.[4]Jeff Gordonwas fifth with 2,302 points.[4]In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet was leading with 121 points, fourteen points ahead of their rival Toyota.[5]In the battle for third place, Dodge had 74 points, two points ahead of Ford.[5]
Practice and qualifying
editTwo practice sessions were held on Thursday before the Saturday race. The first session lasted 80 minutes, and the Thursday evening session lasted 85 minutes.[2]During the first practice session,Kyle BuschandDavid Ragancollided to bring out the caution flag[6]asJoey Loganowas quickest.[7]Clint Bowyerwas in the second position, ahead ofRyan NewmanandMatt Kenseth,whileTony Stewartwas scored fifth.[7]In the evening session,Robby Gordonwas quickest, after Logano spun sideways.[8][9]There was another caution later in the session, involvingDenny Hamlin,Kyle Busch, Stewart, andReed Sorenson.[10]Greg Bifflewas scored in second, ahead ofMarcos AmbroseandKasey Kahnein third and fourth.[8]A. J. Allmendingerended up fifth quickest.[8]
During qualifying, forty-five cars were entered, but only forty-three was able to race because of NASCAR'squalifying procedure.[11]Only twelve cars were able to qualify because of wet conditions. Kevin Harvick earned thepole position,because of being the points leader.[12]He was joined on the front row of the grid byJimmie Johnson,who was second in the point standings.[12]Kyle Busch was third, as his teammate Hamlin was supposed to start in fourth, but had to go to the rear of the grid because of switching to a back-up car.[12]Jeff Gordonstarted fourth, after being eighth in the second practice session.[12]Kurt Busch,Kenseth,Jeff Burton,Stewart, Biffle, andDale Earnhardt Jr.rounded off the top ten.[12]The two drivers that did not qualify wereMichael McDowellandTodd Bodine.[12]
Race summary
editIn comparison to Friday's wet qualifying session, frequent showers soaked the track Saturday evening, making racing slippery and potentially hazardous which delayed the start of the race until 9:24 US EDT. However, pre-race ceremonies continued, as Pastor Corwin Lasenby Sr., from New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church delivered theinvocation.Then,Capitol Records Nashvillerecording artistDarius Ruckerperformed theUnited States National Anthem.By 8:13, forty-three minutes after the scheduled start time, the showers had moved away, and dryers started to dry the track. 43 minutes later, crew members and the drivers were called to pit road.Bobby Labonteended pre-race ceremonies, giving the command from his Coke Zero-sponsoredPhoenix RacingChevrolet.[13]
Kevin HarvickandJimmie Johnsonstayed side-by-side going through the first turn, but Johnson maintained a steady pace and passed Harvick.Jeff Gordonmoved into 3rd, after starting in the 5th position. Johnson's vacated 2nd position was filled byKyle BuschasJeff Burtonmoved into the 8th spot. On lap 5, Harvick passed Johnson to begin leading the race. By lap 7, Johnson had fallen 3 places, as his teammate Gordon moved into the 3rd position. Three laps later, Gordon claimed the lead as Harvick battled him for it. Gordon fell to 13th after two laps since he claimed the lead.Greg Biffle,now 2nd, passed Harvick for the 1st position on lap 14. One lap later, Busch claimed the lead, as the competitioncautiondecided byNASCARofficials, was displayed. While under caution,Max PapisandDave Blaneyexited the track to go to their garage stalls due to vibration and transmission problems.[13]
Harvick led on therestart,from entering the track from pit road in first.Brad Keselowskiclimbed to 3rd a lap after starting 26th, asElliott Sadlermoved to the 3rd position. Harvick's vacated first position was taken by Sadler, as Busch improved his position to 2nd on the grid. Four laps later, Busch became the new leader, but Sadler would reclaim it during lap 29, when Busch had to make apit stop.On lap 30, Busch's brotherKurtbecame the leader, asSam Hornish Jr.moved into 2nd. Harvick reclaimed the lead on lap 32, but Ku. Busch maintained a position and became the new leader. Harvick dropped to 7th two laps later. Johnson moved to 4th, after passing Hornish Jr. Soon after, Sadler reclaimed the 2nd position, asDavid Reutimannfollowed. On lap 41, Sadler became the new leader. Seven laps later, Johnson made a pit stop because of a tire problem, and Hornish Jr. took the lead on lap 50.[13]
On lap 52,Matt Kensethmade a pit stop, as Ku. Busch passed Sadler for 2nd. Sadler fell to 4th on the next lap while Gordon andJuan Pablo Montoyamoved into the 5th and 2nd positions. On lap 56, Montoya became the new leader, andJ. J. Yeleyhad a flat tire, as drivers began to pit. As Montoya made a pit stop, debris from Yeley's race car brought out a caution on the next lap. The green flag returned on lap 63, as Gordon passed Montoya for first. On the following lap,A. J. Allmendingercollided with Ky. Busch, turned backwards, and collided with thewall.Gordon led the driver to the green flag on lap 69, but Keselowski led lap 70 after passing Gordon. Gordon reclaimed the lead after passing Keselowski. Then, Montoya reclaimed the lead from Gordon on lap 74.[13]
Montoya led 2 laps before he was passed byDenny Hamlin.After 3 laps of leading, Hamlin was passed by Hornish Jr. on lap 79.Jamie McMurraymoved into the 4th position on lap 85, after passing Montoya. With some help from Johnson, Ky. Busch claimed the lead one lap later. On lap 93, Burton passed Montoya for the 3rd position, then he passed Johnson 1 lap afterward. On lap 99, there were several pit stops that included Hornish, Keselowski, Ku. Busch, Reutimann, Gordon, and Sadler. Four laps later, Montoya and Ky. Busch collided with each other, causing the 18 car to turn sideways and crash into the wall, which brought out the 4th caution. Since Ky. Busch was the leader, Burton took his vacated first position.Mark Martinled the drivers to the green flag on lap 110, but Montoya passed him a lap later.[13]
On lap 116, the fifth yellow flag was given. This happened whenDavid Ragan,McMurray; andMartin Truex Jr.crashed into the wall when Ragan turned sideways.Tony Stewartled the field of drivers togreen flagconditions on lap 121. During laps 126–134, there were several lead changes; the leaders were Burton,Clint Bowyer,and Harvick, then Burton took the lead. On lap 136, the sixth caution came out whenRobert Richardson Jr.andDavid Stremmerun into each other and turned sideways. Ku. Busch led the drivers to green, but Martin andMatt Kensethboth crashed into the wall, bringing out the seventh caution. Harvick led the drivers to the green flag on lap 145, but he couldn't keep Bowyer behind him. Two laps later, the race wasred flaggedfor alarge wreckinvolving 21 cars in turn 3, the largest crash since2005.[14][15]This began when Ku. Busch hit into Burton and ran him intoSam Hornish Jr.while behind them, Montoya turnedBrad KeselowskiintoReed Sorensonand Johnson. The smoke from the two collisions reduced visibility to the point that most of the field was collected behind them. Only a few drivers made it through cleanly.Mark Martin,who had damage from the crash that had brought out the seventh caution, hit the wall hardly, and Johnson's pit crew ran over from their stall to pull Martin out of his burning car when he came to pit road. The drivers involved included Burton,Ryan Newman,Bobby Labonte;Hornish Jr.,Robby Gordon,Scott Speed,Greg Biffle,Paul Menard,Ku. Busch, Montoya, Keselowski,Regan Smith,Sorenson, Johnson,Joey Logano,Martin,Marcos Ambrose,and Stewart.Dale Earnhardt Jr.also collected minor damage to the right side of his car weaving through the wreckage. Bowyer stayed out to lead the drivers to the green flag on lap 152.[13]
Two laps later, J. Gordon climbed into the 2nd position, as Harvick followed. On lap 157, Jeff Gordon claimed the lead. Two laps later, Bowyer reclaimed the lead, as the ninth caution was given because Ku. Busch; Hornish Jr.; and Sadler all ran into each other. 4 laps after the scheduled distance the green flag waved, as Bowyer led. On the last lap, Harvick passed Bowyer and crossed the finish line first to win his 2nd race in the2010 season.Kasey Kahnefinished 2nd, ahead of J. Gordon in 3rd.[13]Kurt Busch finished seventh after three accidents in the last twelve laps.
Post-Race
editKevin Harvickappeared in victory lane after hisvictory lapto start celebrating his fourth win. In the subsequentpress conference,Harvick said, "We're in a fortunate position with the start to our season, and we need to keep trying to make things better, you've just got to make it happen at the right time."[16]
Harvick expressed his enjoyment of winning the race, but he also stated:
Daytona has been one of those magical places for us since we started coming here, I don't really care about the trophy. I want some of that pavement from the start/finish line out there. This is pretty cool.[17]
"I got behind Harvick and I thought that would be the spot, I was watching Jeff (Gordon) because I knew he would be coming and would be quick. It would have been nice to get our Budweiser Ford in Victory Lane," saidKasey Kahnefollowing his second-place finish.[17]The race result leftKevin Harvickleading the Driver's Championship with 2,684 points.[18]Jeff Gordonwas second with 2,472, thirteen points ahead ofJimmie Johnsonand thirty-three ahead ofKurt Busch.[18]Denny Hamlinwas fifth with 2,400 points.[18]In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet maintained their lead with 130 points.[18]Toyota remained second with 110 points.[18]Dodge followed with 78 points, even with Ford in fourth.[18]
Race results
edit| Pos | Grid | Car | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Laps | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 2 | 20 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Richard Petty Motorsports | Ford | 166 | Running |
| 3 | 5 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 4 | 13 | 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 5 | 8 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 6 | 12 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 166 | Running |
| 7 | 6 | 2 | Kurt Busch | Penske Racing | Dodge | 166 | Running |
| 8 | 24 | 83 | Reed Sorenson | Red Bull Racing | Toyota | 166 | Running |
| 9 | 35 | 71 | Mike Bliss | TRG Motorsports | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 10 | 27 | 82 | Scott Speed | Red Bull Racing | Toyota | 166 | Running |
| 11 | 19 | 00 | David Reutimann | Michael Waltrip Racing | Toyota | 166 | Running |
| 12 | 32 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Toyota | 166 | Running |
| 13 | 39 | 36 | Steve Park | Tommy Baldwin Racing | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 14 | 33 | 34 | Kevin Conway | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 166 | Running |
| 15 | 7 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 166 | Running |
| 16 | 37 | 09 | Bobby Labonte | Phoenix Racing | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 17 | 15 | 33 | Clint Bowyer | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 166 | Running |
| 18 | 23 | 98 | Paul Menard | Richard Petty Motorsports | Ford | 165 | Running |
| 19 | 41 | 46 | J. J. Yeley | Whitney Motorsports | Dodge | 164 | Running |
| 20 | 10 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 163 | Running |
| 21 | 30 | 77 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Penske Racing | Dodge | 159 | Accident |
| 22 | 29 | 19 | Elliott Sadler | Richard Petty Motorsports | Ford | 159 | Accident |
| 23 | 34 | 37 | Robert Richardson Jr. | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 159 | Running |
| 24 | 4 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 158 | Running |
| 25 | 9 | 14 | Tony Stewart | Stewart Haas Racing | Chevrolet | 158 | Running |
| 26 | 14 | 39 | Ryan Newman | Stewart Haas Racing | Chevrolet | 148 | Accident |
| 27 | 22 | 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Earnhardt Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 148 | Accident |
| 28 | 11 | 5 | Mark Martin | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 148 | Accident |
| 29 | 16 | 20 | Joey Logano | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 148 | Accident |
| 30 | 26 | 12 | Brad Keselowski | Penske Racing | Dodge | 147 | Accident |
| 31 | 2 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 147 | Accident |
| 32 | 28 | 47 | Marcos Ambrose | JTG Daugherty Racing | Toyota | 147 | Accident |
| 33 | 31 | 78 | Regan Smith | Furniture Row Racing | Chevrolet | 147 | Accident |
| 34 | 38 | 38 | Travis Kvapil | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 145 | Accident |
| 35 | 18 | 56 | Martin Truex Jr. | Michael Waltrip Racing | Toyotoa | 141 | Running |
| 36 | 21 | 43 | A. J. Allmendinger | Richard Petty Motorsports | Ford | 136 | Running |
| 37 | 36 | 26 | David Stremme | Latitude 43 Motorsports | Ford | 135 | Accident |
| 38 | 25 | 6 | David Ragan | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 116 | Accident |
| 39 | 17 | 1 | Jamie McMurray | Earnhardt Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 116 | Accident |
| 40 | 3 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 103 | Accident |
| 41 | 42 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | NEMCO Motorsports | Toyota | 38 | Electrical |
| 42 | 40 | 13 | Max Papis | Germain Racing | Toyota | 6 | Vibration |
| 43 | 43 | 66 | Dave Blaney | Prism Motorsports | Toyota | 4 | Transmission |
Source:[19]
| |||||||
References
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