PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)
Matt Kenseth. Under the radar no longer.
His second Daytona 500 victory, a straight-up, I’m-faster-than-you performance in arguably the most unique of the race’s 54 editions, confirms the popular Wisconsin veteran’s status among the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series elite competitors in the current era – and arguably in any era.
We should have known it all along – although Kenseth, like many racers from his home state, has always raced hard but with humility.
His post-race reaction? Typical: “I wasn’t expecting to win when I woke up this morning,” said Kenseth.
That said, Kenseth has won a championship (2003), two Daytona 500s and 22 times overall. Those victories have come in 10 different seasons beginning in 2000 – his first full campaign with the Roush Fenway organization, his “home” for all but one of Kenseth’s 437 starts.
For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, holders of a combined nine titles, the good news coming out of the Daytona 500 is that in one important respect the schedule’s signature event pays the same points as this week’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 and the 24 races that follow leading up to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™.
To say it wasn’t their night – despite having won The Great American Race a combined four times – would be an understatement. Johnson was the second car out in 42nd. Engine failure relegated Gordon to a 40th-place finish. Until last night’s D500, Johnson and Gordon had finished 40th or worse a combined 21 times, and never in the same race.
SHOW #191 – We recap all the stories coming from the season opening Daytona 500, discuss Brad Keselowski’s use of Twitter, huge TV ratings, plus a full Phoenix preview. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie.
(About 47 mins)
LISTEN HERE
WANT TO AIR THE FINAL LAP WEEKLY ON YOUR RADIO STATION?
DOWNLOAD HERE (iPhone/iPad)
NASCAR will not penalize Brad Keselowski for his use of Twitter during last night’s Daytona 500.
Nothing we’ve seen from Keselowski violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races. As such, he won’t be penalized.
We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others.
Follow Brad Keselowski on Twitter
Follow The Final Lap on Twitter
Race Winner: Matt Kenseth Age: 39
Team : No. 17 – Best Buy Ford Owner: John Henry Crew Chief: Jimmy Fennig
Matt Kenseth won the 54th Annual Daytona 500 , his 22nd victory in 437 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
Kenseth is the ninth driver to win multiple Daytona 500s. His first Daytona 500 victory came in the rain-shortened 2009 event.
This is Roush Fenway Racing’s 300th NASCAR national Series victory (126 wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; 124 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series; 50 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series).
NASCAR will not penalize Brad Keselowski for his use of Twitter during last night’s Daytona 500.
Nothing we’ve seen from Keselowski violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races. As such, he won’t be penalized.
We encourage our drivers to use social media to express themselves as long as they do so without risking their safety or that of others.
NASCAR News Wire The Final Lap Podcast
