Coming off turn four on the final lap of the Budweiser Shootout, four drivers in the pursuit of the checkers held a fight for space and speed. Two feet from the astonishing finish, Ryan Newman lead, Denny Hamlin went low, while Kurt Busch was pushed high by Jamie McMurray. Newman lost ground and left no room for Hamlin, briefly forcing him below the double yellow line. Hamlin came back up and held down the checkered flag, Kurt Busch second, Jamie McMurray following in third.At Daytona drivers are not allowed to go below the yellow line no matter the circumstance. NASCAR decided that a rule is a rule and announced Kurt Busch, driver of the #22 Shell/ Pennzoil Dodge, as the official winner of the 2011 Budweiser Shootout. Putting Denny Hamlin in 12th position. The win was the first win for Dodge in Budweiser Shootout history.
Lap twenty-seven brought a disappointing end to five driver’s day. Dale Earnhardt Jr. bounced off of Carl Edwards and wreaked, bringing the first big wreck of the night. "There was just too many race cars going for the same piece of real estate." Earnhardt stated during an interview in the garage area. After just eight laps following the caution on lap twenty-seven, Mark Martin drove up under Kyle Busch and made heavy contact leaving only sixteen of twenty-four cars on the lead lap.
Besides the fact that only half the field was able to finish the shootout, the night in Daytona was a good ole’ race. With 10 different lead changes, two car drafting successes and a surprising ending, Kurt Busch has great momentum for next Sunday at the Daytona 500. “This is unbelievable, I mean to experience victory lane here no matter what the race is, it’s very special.” Busch stated in victory lane. Whether he finishes first or last he is thankful to win in any big or small race at Daytona.
Note: Picture by NASCAR.com
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