THE RACE: 2006 HERSHEY’S KISSABLES 300 – DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Busch Series Race #1 of 35 for the 2006 season

  • Stewart Wins at Daytona: #33-Tony Stewart picked up his second Daytona win in a row (and the second Busch win of his career). He was followed by #2-Clint Bowyer, #77-Burney Lamar, #47-Jon Wood, and #29-Kevin Harvick. The race was slowed by a record 11 cautions.(2-18-2006)
    NASCAR Busch Series, Race No. 1
    HERSHEY’S KISSABLES 300
    DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
    Daytona Beach, Fla. – Feb. 18, 2006
    2.5-Mile High-Banked Paved Tri-Oval
    300 M – 120 L – Purse: $2,629,362

    1 16 33   Tony Stewart Old Spice Chevrolet 120 185 * 5 $112,650 Running
    2 21 77 # Burney Lamar Dollar General Chevrolet 120 170     98,425 Running
    3 3 2   Clint Bowyer ACDelco Chevrolet 120 170 * 5 88,984 Running
    4 34 47   Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 120 160     73,281 Running
    5 17 29   Kevin Harvick Hershey’s Kissables Chevrolet 120 155     58,875 Running
    6 24 32   Jason Leffler Lucas Oil/FOE.com Chevrolet 120 150     64,256 Running
    7 19 06 # Todd Kluever 3M Ford 120 146     52,625 Running
    8 1 18   J.J. Yeley Vigoro-The Home Depot Chevrolet 120 147 * 5 63,306 Running
    9 13 41   Reed Sorenson Discount Tire Co. Dodge 120 138     61,256 Running
    10 41 4   Mark Green GEICO/Brymak Dodge 120 134     56,556 Running
    11 27 1   Jason Keller Miccosukee Resorts Dodge 120 130     59,406 Running
    12 35 25   Ashton Lewis Jr. U.S. Marine Corps Ford 120 127     53,331 Running
    13 30 22   Kenny Wallace AutoZone Ford 120 124     53,206 Running
    14 18 20   Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevrolet 120 121     60,056 Running
    15 42 99   Michael Waltrip Aaron’s Sales & Lease Dodge 120 118     47,450 Running
    16 36 64   Jamie McMurray Top Flite Dodge 120 120 * 5 46,400 Running
    17 20 8   Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kraft Chevrolet 120 122 * 10 46,150 Running
    18 8 50 # Danny O’Quinn Jr. World Financial Group Ford 120 109     46,025 Running
    19 22 36   Tim Sauter Lester Buildings Chevrolet 120 106     50,276 Running
    20 39 14 # Tracy Hines Take Me On Vacation Dodge 120 103     48,525 Running
    21 43 49   Steve Grissom Advil Ford 120 105 * 5 50,176 Running
    22 25 88 # Mark McFarland U.S. NAVY Chevrolet 120 97     45,525 Running
    23 40 58   Donnie Neuenberger Cayman Islands Chevrolet 120 94     47,700 Running
    24 37 34   Paul Tracy Sport Clips Chevrolet 120 91     47,225 Running
    25 9 5   Kyle Busch Lowe’s/shop vac Chevrolet 120 88     45,200 Running
    26 32 35   Regan Smith McDonald’s Ford 120 85     49,351 Running
    27 31 59   Stacy Compton Kingsford/Bush’s/Winn-Dixie Ford 119 82     49,251 Running
    28 6 90   Elliott Sadler Citifinancial Ford 119 79     44,800 Running
    29 38 12   David Reutimann Supercuts Dodge 111 76     46,700 Accident
    30 15 21   Jeff Burton U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet 101 78 * 5 44,825 Engine
    31 10 16   Greg Biffle Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 94 75 * 5 44,425 Accident
    32 26 57   Brian Vickers Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Chevrolet 93 72 * 5 44,550 Accident
    33 12 9   Kasey Kahne Ragu Dodge 93 69 * 5 44,300 Accident
    34 5 10 # John Andretti Freedom Roads-Camping World Ford 92 61     46,250 Running
    35 4 00   Johnny Sauter Yellow Transportation Chevrolet 89 58     54,076 Running
    36 29 66   Ken Schrader Duraflame/Yard-Man Ford 89 55     44,025 Running
    37 23 27   David Green Huggies Clean/Team Walgreen Ford 81 52     53,851 Running
    38 14 11   Paul Menard Menards/Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet 78 49     48,301 Running
    39 11 60   Carl Edwards Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 65 46     43,885 Running
    40 7 87   Joe Nemechek VFW Chevrolet 51 43     43,835 Accident
    41 28 95   Steadman Marlin Sadler Bros. Truck & Lease Dodge 49 40     45,755 Accident
    42 33 38 # Anthony Foyt IV Great Clips Dodge 39 37     51,205 Accident
    43 2 43   Aaron Fike Cay Club Resorts & Marinas Dodge 28 34     48,286 Accident

    # Raybestos Rookie of the Year Contender. * Includes race leader/most laps led bonus.
    Failed to qualify: (6) Kertus Davis, #0; Jay Sauter, #01; Kevin Lepage, #56; Chad Chaffin, #05; Larry Hollenbeck, #62; Chris Wimmer, #23.
    Race Comments: Before an estimated crowd of 75,000, Tony Stewart won the Hershey’s Kissables 300, posting his second NASCAR Busch Series victory. Both of Stewart’s victories came at Daytona. Prior to the green flag, the following drivers, under penalty, dropped to the rear of the field for the reasons indicated: #60 Carl Edwards (unapproved impound adjustment).
    TIME OF RACE: 2 hours, 23 minutes, 49 seconds
    AVERAGE SPEED: 125.159 mph
    MARGIN OF VICTORY: Under caution
    BUSH POLE AWARD: J.J. Yeley – #18 Vigoro/The Home Depot Chevrolet (183.094 mph, 49.155 seconds)
    CHECKERS/RALLY’S DOUBLE-DRIVE THRU CHALLENGE AWARD: Clint Bowyer – #2 ACDelco Chevrolet
    FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Burney Lamar – #77 Dollar General Chevrolet
    BANK AMERICA CARD SERVICE MID-RACE LEADER AWARD: Dale Earnhardt Jr. – #8 Kraft Chevrolet
    MOBIL 1 COMMAND PERFORMANCE DRIVER OF THE RACE AWARD: Burney Lamar – #77 Dollar General Chevrolet
    RAYBESTOS ROOKIE OF THE RACE AWARD: Burney Lamar – #77 Dollar General Chevrolet
    SUNOCO DIAMOND PERFORMANCE AWARD: Tony Stewart – #33 Old Spice Chevrolet
    WIX FILTERS LAP LEADER AWARD: J.J. Yeley – No. 18 Vigoro/The Home Depot Chevrolet
    CAUTION FLAGS: 11 cautions for 35 laps: Laps 4-6 (Car #66 – Accident, Turn 2); 30-34 (Cars #00, 41 & 43 – Accident, Turn 4); 40-44 (Cars #11, 38 & 60 – Accident, Frontstretch [Red Flag 9:43 40]); 51-53 (Cars #34, 87 & 95 – Accident, Turn 4); 77-80 (Debris); 91-93 (Debris); 95-98 (Cars #9, 16, 35 & 57 – Accident, Turn 2); 101-102 (Debris); 109-110 (Cars #5, 20 & 64 – Accident, Backstretch); 113-115 (Car #12 – Accident, Turn 2); 120-120 (Cars #1, 4, 14, 20, 22, 25, 36, 41, 59, 90 & 99 – Accident, Frontstretch).
    LAP LEADERS: 17 changes among 10 drivers: J. J. Yeley 1-13; Clint Bowyer 14; Jeff Burton 15; Bowyer 16; Burton 17; Kasey Kahne 18; Greg Biffle 19-25; Burton 26-32; Kahne 33-36; Brian Vickers 37; Kahne 38-46; Dale Earnhardt Jr. 47-61; Biffle 62-69; Jamie McMurray 70-73; Earnhardt Jr 74-77; Steve Grissom 78; Earnhardt Jr 79-107; Tony Stewart 108-120.

    (NASCAR Media)(2-20-2006)

  • Yeley on the Pole: J.J. Yeley grabbed the Busch Pole for the Daytona Race. It’s the first pole of his career. The remainder of the top five are Aaron Fike, Clint Bowyer, Johnny Sauter, and John Andretti. See the complete lineup below.(2-17-2006)
    NASCAR Busch Series
    Hershey’s Kissables 300
    Starting Line-Up by Row
    Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
    1 18 J.J. Yeley Vigoro-The Home Depot Chevrolet 49.155 183.094
    2 43 Aaron Fike Cay Clubs Resorts & Marinas Dodge 49.198 182.934
    3 2 Clint Bowyer ACDelco Chevrolet 49.199 182.931
    4 00 Johnny Sauter Yellow Transportation Chevrolet 49.241 182.775
    5 10 John Andretti # Freedom Roads-Camping World Ford 49.243 182.767
    6 90 Elliott Sadler citifinancial Ford 49.286 182.608
    7 87 Joe Nemechek VFW Chevrolet 49.302 182.548
    8 50 Danny O’Quinn Jr # World Financial Group Ford 49.302 182.548
    9 5 Kyle Busch Lowe’s/shop vac Chevrolet 49.306 182.534
    10 16 Greg Biffle Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 49.315 182.500
    11 60 Carl Edwards Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 49.333 182.434
    12 9 Kasey Kahne Ragu Dodge 49.363 182.323
    13 41 Reed Sorenson Discount Tire Co. Dodge 49.388 182.231
    14 11 Paul Menard Menards/Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet 49.403 182.175
    15 21 Jeff Burton U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet 49.436 182.054
    16 33 Tony Stewart Old Spice Chevrolet 49.448 182.009
    17 29 Kevin Harvick Hershey’s Kissables Chevrolet 49.449 182.006
    18 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevrolet 49.470 181.928
    19 06 Todd Kluever # 3M Ford 49.472 181.921
    20 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr Kraft Chevrolet 49.500 181.818
    21 77 Burney Lamar # Dollar General Chevrolet 49.503 181.807
    22 36 Tim Sauter Lester Buildings Chevrolet 49.542 181.664
    23 27 David Green Huggies Clean/ Team Walgreen Ford 49.587 181.499
    24 32 Jason Leffler Lucas Oil/FOE.com Chevrolet 49.597 181.463
    25 88 Mark McFarland # NAVY Chevrolet 49.632 181.335
    26 57 Brian Vickers Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Chevrolet 49.640 181.305
    27 1 Jason Keller Miccosukee Resorts Dodge 49.656 181.247
    28 95 Steadman Marlin Sadler Bros. Truck & Lease Dodge 49.685 181.141
    29 66 Ken Schrader Duraflame/Yard-Man Ford 49.721 181.010
    30 22 Kenny Wallace AutoZone Ford 49.762 180.861
    31 59 Stacy Compton Kingsford/Bush’s/Winn-Dixie Ford 49.790 180.759
    32 35 Regan Smith McDonald’s Ford 49.841 180.574
    33 38 Anthony Foyt IV # Great Clips Dodge 49.880 180.433
    34 47 Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 49.895 180.379
    35 25 Ashton Lewis Jr. Team Marines Ford 49.980 180.072
    36 64 Jamie McMurray Top Flite Dodge 49.996 180.014
    37 34 Paul Tracy Sport Clips/American Crew Chevrolet 50.015 179.946
    38 12 David Reutimann Supercuts Dodge 50.024 179.914
    39 14 Tracy Hines Take Me On Vacation Dodge Owner Points
    40 58 Donnie Neuenberger Cayman Islands Chevrolet Owner Points
    41 4 Mark Green GEICO/Brymak Dodge Owner Points
    42 99 Michael Waltrip Aaron’s Sales & Lease Dodge Owner Points
    43 49 Steve Grissom Advil Ford Past Champion

    Did Not Qualify:
    #0-Kertus Davis, 180.915 mph
    #01-Jay Sauter, 180.697
    #56-Kevin Lepage, 180.632
    #05-Chad Chaffin, 179.910
    #62-Larry Hollenbeck, 179.080
    #23-Chris Wimmer, 178.207
    (NASCAR Media)(2-17-2006)

  • Paul Menard, Joe Nemechek, and Regan Smith were fastest in Busch Happy Hour. See speeds at:
    BGNRacing.com
    NASCAR.com (2-16-2006)
  • Hamlin, Leffler, and Yeley Lead First Busch Series Practice. See speeds at:
    BGNRacing.com
    NASCAR.com (2-15-2006)

    NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes – Daytona

  • Powerful field ready for season-opener at Daytona … Four former race winners and six Busch Pole winners are among the drivers entered in the Hershey’s Kissables 300. Tony Stewart (#33 Old Spice Chevrolet) is back to defend his 2005 victory – his first career series win. Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose three season-opening wins at Daytona from 2002-04 lead active drivers, also is entered. Other former winners entered are 1993 series champion Steve Grissom (#49 Advil Ford), who won in 1996 and Joe Nemechek, the 1998 winner. Nemechek is a clear favorite to capture the pole on Friday; he is the all-time series leader in poles at Daytona with five; four have come for the season-opening races including last year’s top starting spot on the grid. Michael Waltrip (#99 Aaron’s Sales & Lease Chevrolet) is second to Nemechek having won three poles for this event, while Kenny Wallace, David Green and Elliott Sadler (#90 CitiFinancial Ford) also have sat on the pole at Daytona in February. Johnny Sauter (#00 Yellow Transportation Chevrolet) was one of the fastest drivers in single-car and draft practice at Daytona testing last month.
  • Another competitive rookie class expected … Another strong Raybestos Rookie of the Year class debuts this weekend. Following in the footsteps of Edwards, Todd Kluever (#06 3M Ford), the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year, headlines a class that includes his Roush Racing teammate Danny O’Quinn (#50 World Financial Group Ford), John Andretti (#10 FreedomRoads Ford), Burney Lamar (#77 Dollar General Chevrolet), A.J. Foyt IV (#38 Great Clips Dodge), Mark McFarland (#88 U.S. Navy Dodge) and Chris Wimmer (#23 Keith Coleman Racing Chevrolet). Other rookie candidates expected to compete this year are Joel Kauffman and David Gilliland.
  • Open-wheel drivers taking their shot in the NASCAR Busch Series … Former open wheel driver John Andretti is aiming to make his second NASCAR Busch Series start in nine years Saturday at Daytona. Andretti, a veteran of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, will team with Kenny Wallace in a second car for ppc Racing this season. His first series start also was at the season-opener at Daytona, where he finished 13th in 1998. A. J. Foyt IV will be competing in his first full time NASCAR Busch Series season. Foyt, the grandson of racing legend A.J. Foyt, ran in four races last year for Akins Motorsports (now Braun-Akins Racing). In addition to Andretti and Foyt, another open-wheel driver will compete in the NASCAR Busch Series this year. Paul Tracy (#34 SportClips Chevrolet) will make his NASCAR debut Saturday in a car owned by Frank Cicci and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly.
  • 2006 Competition Changes … New manufacturer models, the Ford Fusion and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, are new in both the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The weight of the car remains at a minimum of 3,400 pounds without a driver. However, this season, the weight will be redistributed with 25 pounds to the right side of the car. Another new element for 2006 is the testing policy. NASCAR has scheduled dates and sites for testing at tracks that host NASCAR-sanctioned events. The five tracks that host NASCAR Busch Series tests are Daytona International Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway (during the race weekend). Additionally, NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates or rookie drivers at that track will be given an additional 30 minute “rookie only” practice at each track the series visits. … A new tire leasing program is in effect for all three national series in 2006. Teams will lease their tires instead of purchasing them as they have done in the past. Goodyear will distribute tires prior to the start of each NASCAR test session and NASCAR-sanctioned events, and all tires must be returned to Goodyear at the end of the test or event.
  • Former series champions kick off 25th season with Friday press conference … With the 25th NASCAR Busch Series season kicking off this weekend, four former series champions – Jack Ingram, Larry Pearson, Tommy Ellis and Chuck Bown – are returning to Daytona International Speedway. Ingram won the series’ first title in 1982 and won his second title in 1985. Known as a short track ace, Ingram won 29 races on short tracks, which is still a series record, and is tied with Dale Earnhardt for most consecutive wins at one track (five at South Boston Speedway). Pearson, who won back-to-back titles in 1986 and 1987, was the third different champion in series history. He was involved in the second-closest championship battle (20 points over Brett Bodine) and the fourth largest margin, 382 points over Jimmy Hensley. Ellis, the 1988 champion, had 22 career wins and 28 poles. He is tied with Mark Martin for the most career poles. The 1990 champion, Bown competed in the series for 11 years and had 11 career wins. Bown’s championship season included six wins and 18 top 10s.
    ON THE RIGHT TRACK
    Tony Stewart had his only NASCAR Busch Series win at Daytona last year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has four wins at the track, with his most recent being in 2004. Joe Nemechek has five poles, including four straight. Nemechek’s July 2002 win was the first series race won from the pole.
    ETC.
    Paul Menard and Kenny Wallace made qualifying runs for Sunday’s Daytona 500; both must earn their way in on time and will compete in Thursday’s Gatorade Duel at Daytona – the pair of 150-mile qualifying races that set the Daytona 500 field. … Chevrolet has the most season-opening series wins at Daytona (18). … No current fulltime NASCAR Busch Series driver has won at Daytona. … Eight drivers entered in Saturday’s race have won a pole at Daytona. … NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver David Reutimann will attempt to qualify for Saturday’s race in the #12 Supercuts Dodge.
    FROM THE 25th ANNIVERSARY ARCHIVES
    The first NASCAR Busch Series event was staged at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 13, 1982. A field of 34 cars took the green flag for the 120-lap event with polesitter Mike Porter leading the pack. Included in that first event were NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Dale Jarrett and Geoff Bodine. Northeastern modified driver Bob Park was there and his son, Steve Park, would go on to win three series events in later years. Earnhardt took the checkered flag. He won by a margin of one car length over short-track ace Jody Ridley. Five cars finished on the lead lap. Jack Ingram, who would win the first series title, dropped out after 24 laps due to engine failure. He finished 31st.
    Fast Facts
    What: Hershey’s Kissables 300 (Race #1 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
    Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
    When: 1:20 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 18.
    Track Layout: 2.5-mile tri-oval.
    Race Length: 300 miles/120 laps.
    Posted Awards: $2,629,362.
    TV: TNT, 1:00 p.m., ET.
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
    2005 Winner: Tony Stewart.
    2005 Polesitter: Joe Nemechek.
    Final 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Top 10: 1. Martin Truex Jr. 4,937. 2. Clint Bowyer 4,869. 3. Carl Edwards 4,601. 4. Reed Sorenson 4,453. 5. Denny Hamlin 4,143. 6. Paul Menard 4,101. 7. Kenny Wallace 4,068. 8. David Green 3,908. 9. Jason Keller 3,866. 10. Greg Biffle 3,865.
    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Wed., Feb. 15 – Practice, 3 – 4:00 p.m. Thur., Feb. 16 – “Rookie Practice,” 11 – 11:30 a.m.; Final Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 16 – Qualifying, 3:05 p.m. (Impound).(NASCAR PR)(2-14-06)