(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) Daytona usually marks the opening of a new season, but the ASRS Xfinity Series has been racing for seven weeks now, with six different winners along the way.
Qualifying saw 45 drivers attempt the 32 car starting field. Failing to qualify were: Robby Baskins, Thomas Bergeron, Brandon Boyd, Steve Buhala, Jake Douglas, Austin Foutch, Dan Mathews, Jared Mogard, Gary Nichols, Ronnie Osmer, Robert Padavich, Jason Stewart and Travis Wright.
Jonathan Wall led the field to the green after turning the fastest laps in qualifying, but mechanical issues kept the #10 from leading the field to the green. Jamie Vaughn and John Kennedy made up the front row for the green flag.
Cautions slowed the race pace considerably, with eight of them during the 150 mile event. The lead changed hands 14 times among nine drivers.
Zac Bozanich appeared to have the car to beat with the #91 Toyota, but a late race incident that collected several contenders took dwindled the field down to a 10 drivers on the lead lap.
John Kennedy looked like he was going to take the #89 to the win, but a last lap bump from Josh Walker send Kennedy sliding and allowed Zac Coyer to take the lead in the #31 with Jamie Vaughn pushing. Vaughn stayed on the back bumper of Coyer until turn 4 when he pulled out to pass, Coyer appeared to be a sitting duck before attempting to block Vaughn entering the tri-oval, the two made contact that sent Vaughn spinning through the grass and Coyer sailed to victory. Vaughn was able to finish second as he spun through the tri-oval grass, Alex Giese was third followed by Matt Doza in fourth and John Kennedy fifth.
Ty Hester leads Sam Maxwell by 12 points after Daytona.
The Xfinity Series takes a short break after racing seven weeks straight, it will return to action March 14th at Auto Club Speedway.