At the season’s halfway mark, the NASCAR Busch Series has provided its usual blend of excitement and surprise – and leaves the door open for more.
Carl Edwards (No. 60 Aflac Ford) has laser-beam focus on his goal of claiming the 2007 series title. Having lost out on the opportunity to secure his first NASCAR national series crown over the past two seasons, his march continues.
Through the first 18 races, 11 different drivers have won. Edwards leads with four victories while three others have registered their first career series wins. Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge) made the successful crossover from open-wheel to stock cars with his March win in Mexico City and Stephen Leicht (No. 90 CitiFinancial Ford) last month continued the recent trend at Kentucky Speedway where an upset driver comes away a winner.
Leicht comes to Daytona International Speedway ranked 10th in the series standings, one of eight series regulars in the top 10.
Regulars and newcomers have made solid contributions throughout the first half of the year. Steve Wallace (No. 66 Rapid Industrial Cleaning Dodge) won his first career pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in March and followed by claiming the pole at Nashville Superspeedway last month. He was joined by fellow 19-year-old Brad Coleman, a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver who won his first pole at Talladega Superspeedway and has posted two top-five finishes – including a runner-up effort to Leicht – in his last two races.
David Ragan (No. 6 Discount Tire Ford) and Regan Smith (No. 4 Ginn Racing Chevrolet) also won their first career poles in the season’s first half.
The second half begins next week at Chicagoland Speedway and will be highlighted by the NAPA Auto Parts 200 in Montreal on Aug. 4, the series’ inaugural event in Canada and its second race on international soil this season.
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