Race Weekend Central

Stat Sheet: Sparking Numbers From Daytona 500 Weekend 2022

Chase Briscoe leads a pack of cars in the 2020 Daytona 500. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Just like that, another crazy and memorable Daytona 500 weekend is behind us. Daytona International Speedway is a place that is loaded with 60-plus years of history, and history continues to grow on from it with each race that’s held there. New  storylines have come out of this season-opening weekend, from Austin Cindric’s maiden Cup Series win on Sunday to Myatt Snider’s scary flip on Saturday and everything in between.

5 Points to Ponder: Something to Talk About, Daytona 500 Edition

NASCAR Cup Series

#2: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire, #23: Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Toyota Camry McDonald’s, #12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Menards/Blue DEF/PEAK, #43: Erik Jones, Petty GMS, Chevrolet Camaro FOCUSfactor

After a challenging couple of years for NASCAR, the one unmistakable feeling as the green flag flew this past Sunday (Feb. 20) was that stock car racing was back.

Stock Car Scoop: What Did We Learn from the 2022 Daytona 500?

Austin Cindric celebrates winning the Daytona 500 on the frontstretch. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2022 Daytona 500 did not disappoint, an action-packed race ending with a rookie in victory lane. Austin Cindric took the checkered flag in just his eighth career NASCAR Cup Series start, capping off a wild finish in which he held off Bubba Wallace by just 0.036 seconds at the line. It was a far cry from rookie teammate Harrison Burton’s afternoon, flipping over on the backstretch in the day’s most serious incident as aggression produced several bump drafts gone wrong.

After the Next Gen’s debut in full-field, top-speed competition, what were the takeaways from the Great American Race? Stock Car Scoop hosts Bryan Nolen and Adam Cheek discuss their thoughts on everything surrounding Sunday’s (Feb. 20) NASCAR Super Bowl.

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Austin Cindric Snags 2022 Daytona 500 Victory

Austin Cindric Shows Off Ring After Winning the Daytona 500

(Photo: Zach Sturniolo)

Austin Cindric won his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in only his eighth career start and second in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20 by barely nipping out 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace by a nose. Following him to the line were Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney and Aric Almirola, who earned a top-five finish in his last Daytona 500 as a full-time driver.

Cindric is the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 since Trevor Bayne in 2011.

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2022 Daytona 500

Austin Cindric wins the 2022 Daytona 500. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Many drivers go a lifetime without winning NASCAR’s biggest race, but it took Austin Cindric just eight starts to put that notch on his belt. Cindric powered to the front on the final restart and blocked his way to the win as chaos erupted behind him.

Up to Speed: Brad Keselowski & Austin Cindric Battle at Daytona

#6: Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing, Ford Mustang Castrol Violet Defense

(Photo: NKP)

One year ago, Brad Keselowski’s frustration was visible.

As the final laps of the Daytona 500 ticked away, Keselowski made a bold move to set himself up for a last-lap pass for the lead on his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano. But when Logano blocked Keselowski’s path forward, Keselowski got hit from behind by Michael McDowell, triggering a frightening crash that knocked out both Penske cars. McDowell went on to win the race, leaving Keselowski without a Harley J. Earl Trophy for at least one more year.

Austin Cindric Arrives With Daytona 500 Win: ‘We’ve Come a Long Way’

Austin Cindric

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Austin Cindric’s final pit stop couldn’t have been worse.

With Daytona International Speedway’s frontstretch lights illuminating them, the pit crew for Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford was slow and lacked coordination.

They also didn’t even bother to put on safety equipment. One even wore a backpack.

Austin Cindric Evades Chaos, Scores 1st Cup Series Win in Daytona 500

2022 Daytona NXS Austin Cindric burnout NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After a flip, multiple multi-car crashes and late-race chaos, Austin Cindric emerged as the 2022 Daytona 500 champion on Sunday (Feb. 20) as he survived final-restart challenges from teammate Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace and others as the field crashed through the Daytona International Speedway trioval behind him. Cindric’s most recent Cup start, at …

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