Coke Zero 400 Predictions
DAYTON BEACH, FL (ATS Consultants) – The Sprint Cup Series heads to Daytona, Fla. for the 18th Cup race on Saturday, June 30 for the Coke Zero 400 from the Daytona Intenational Speedway.
Being a restrictor plate race, one of only two tracks on the circuit that use them, Daytona is known as an unpredictable event that can lead to some wild racing and uncertain finishes.
Matt Kenseth is the favorite here having won the season opening Daytona 500. He’s since announced that he will be leaving Roush-Fenway Racing after this season, making this the last time he will race at Daytona with the only team he’s ever raced with the in Sprint Cup Series since 1999. The races at Daytona have not been swept in a season for thirty years.
Tony Stewart is coming off a forgettable race at Kentucky last week where he finished 32nd due to ignition issues. However, Stewart is the most successful recent winner of the Coke Zero 400. Stewart won the race in 2005, 2006 and 2009 and will no doubt be looking for a rebound Saturday night. Stewart finished 16th in February’s race and overall has three wins and 12 total top 10s in 27 events at Daytona.
Harvick has two wins and 10 total top 10s in 22 races, the most recent in July 2010. Harvick began the season with a seventh-place finish in the 500, and has been a consistent figure in the top 10 in points all season, currently sitting fifth.
Live Longshot
His Daytona 500 win really sticks out. His average finish here since 2008 is 23.4.
2012 Coke Zero 400 Information
Race Date: Saturday, July 7
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
Start Time: 7:30pmET
Green Flag: Approx. 7:49PM ET
TV Coverage: TNT
Radio Coverage: Performance Racing Network (MRN/Sirius NASCAR Radio)
Track Type: 2.5 mile oval (160 laps, 400 miles)
Recent Winners
2011: David Ragan
2010: Kevin Harvick
2009: Tony Stewart
2008: Kyle Busch
2007: Jamie McMurray
Last year’s top 5
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth
Joey Logano
Kasey Kahne
Kyle Busch
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