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Logano, 19, became the youngest driver to win a Sprint Cup race because he gambled that the fuel in his tank would outlast the storm clouds that were gathering in the Lakes Region. Logano was in first place when the rain began to fall and the yellow flag caution sent the fleet to pit row. The downpour failed to abate and Logano was declared the victor ahead of three-time NHMS winner Jeff Gordon and defending champion Kurt Busch.
“This is kind of like home turf for me.”
Logano enjoyed the collaboration of colossal good fortune and the sound judgment of veteran crew chief Greg Zipadelli. Logano began in the 24th position and did little to improve on that in the first half of the race. Auto Racing Daily
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Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 4. (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or are within striking distance of the top 12.)
1 – Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 104.1
2009 Rundown
• One win, nine top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 8.2
• Led nine races for 150 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• Two wins, six top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 17.2
• Finished eighth in February
• Led 11 of 21 races for 546 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 9.8, second-best
2 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 103.9
2009 Rundown
• One win, nine top fives, 12 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.6
• Led 10 races for 569 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• Six wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; three poles
• Average finish of 15.1
• Finished 13th in February
• Led 25 of 33 races for 571 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• 372 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
3 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 108.5
2009 Rundown
• Two wins, seven top fives, 11 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.2
• Led 14 races for 887 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• One win, five top fives, eight top 10s; two poles
• Average finish of 15.0
• Finished 31st in February
• Led seven of 15 races for 59 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Series-best Average Running Position of 8.8
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4 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 101.3
2009 Rundown
• One win, five top fives, nine top 10s
• Average finish of 12.6
• Led 10 races for 353 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• Eight top fives, nine top 10s
• Average finish of 17.9
• Finished 10th in February
• Led five of 17 races for 166 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.0, third-best
5 – Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 94.1
2009 Rundown
• Four top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 13.9
• Led eight races for 158 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• Two top fives
• Average finish of 21.4
• Finished 18th in February
• Led two of nine races for three laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 12.3, sixth-best
6 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 95.5
2009 Rundown
• Four top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 14.5
• Led seven races for 514 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• Average finish of 26.77
• Finished 26th in February
• Led three of seven races for 48 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 12.6, seventh-best
7 – Ryan Newman (No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 82.5
2009 Rundown
• Five top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 14.7
• Led nine races for 155 laps
Daytona International Speedway Outlook:
• One win, two top fives, three top 10s
• Average finish of 21.0
• Finished 36th in February
• Led five of 15 races for 35 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Has run 81.1% of the laps on the lead lap, 12th-best
