2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253: Difference between revisions
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| Description = Race 2 of 36 in the [[2021 NASCAR Cup Series]] |
| Description = Race 2 of 36 in the [[2021 NASCAR Cup Series]] |
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| Race Name = O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 |
| Race Name = O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 |
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| Details ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=2021 schedule |url=https://www.jayski.com/nascar-cup-series/2021-nascar-cup-series-schedule/ |website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]] |accessdate=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Daytona International Speedway |url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/daytona-international-speedway.html |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC. |accessdate=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Entry List|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/17/2021-02cup-entry-2.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|access-date=February 13, 2021|date=February 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starting Lineup|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/02/17/busch-pole-award-2021-cup-series-daytona-road-course-starting-lineup/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=February 17, 2021|date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2021/nascar-cup-series/oreilly-auto-parts-253-at-daytona/stn/results/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=[[NASCAR]]|access-date=February 21, 2021|date=February 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Points standings|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/21/2021-02cup-points.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|access-date=February 21, 2021|date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> |
| Details ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=2021 schedule |url=https://www.jayski.com/nascar-cup-series/2021-nascar-cup-series-schedule/ |website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]] |accessdate=January 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Daytona International Speedway |url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/daytona-international-speedway.html |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC. |accessdate=January 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704230431/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/daytona-international-speedway.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Entry List|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/17/2021-02cup-entry-2.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|access-date=February 13, 2021|date=February 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 Lineup">{{cite web|title=Starting Lineup|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/02/17/busch-pole-award-2021-cup-series-daytona-road-course-starting-lineup/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=February 17, 2021|date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2021/nascar-cup-series/oreilly-auto-parts-253-at-daytona/stn/results/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=[[NASCAR]]|access-date=February 21, 2021|date=February 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Points standings|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/21/2021-02cup-points.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|access-date=February 21, 2021|date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> |
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| Fulldate = {{Start date|2021|02|21}} |
| Fulldate = {{Start date|2021|02|21}} |
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| Year = 2021 |
| Year = 2021 |
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| Image = |
| Image = NASCAR DIS Road Course Layout.png |
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| Caption = |
| Caption = |
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| Location = [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]] |
| Location = [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]] |
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| Course_mi = 3. |
| Course_mi = 3.570 |
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| Course_km = 5. |
| Course_km = 5.745 |
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| Distance_laps = 70 |
| Distance_laps = 70 |
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| Distance_mi = 252.7 |
| Distance_mi = 252.7 |
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| Network = [[NASCAR on Fox|Fox]] |
| Network = [[NASCAR on Fox|Fox]] |
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| Announcers = [[Mike Joy]], [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Clint Bowyer]] |
| Announcers = [[Mike Joy]], [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Clint Bowyer]] |
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| Ratings = 4.750 million<ref>{{cite web|title=O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 ratings|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/skedball-weekly-sports-tv-ratings-2-15-2-21-2021.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223212908/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/skedball-weekly-sports-tv-ratings-2-15-2-21-2021.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2021|website=ShowBuzzDaily|publisher=[[Mitch Metcalf]]|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref> |
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| Ratings = |
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| Radio = [[Motor Racing Network|MRN]] |
| Radio = [[Motor Racing Network|MRN]] |
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| Booth_Ann = Alex Hayden, |
| Booth_Ann = Alex Hayden, [[Mike Bagley]] and [[Rusty Wallace]] |
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| Turn_Ann = {{ubl|[[Dave Moody (sportscaster)|Dave Moody]] <small>(Infield Section: Turns 2–6)</small>| |
| Turn_Ann = {{ubl|[[Dave Moody (sportscaster)|Dave Moody]] <small>(Infield Section: Turns 2–6)</small>|Kurt Becker <small>(Turns 7–10)</small>|Dan Hubbard <small>(Turns 11–14)</small>}} |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2021/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend.aspx|title=DAYTONA Road Course Weekend|work=[[Daytona International Speedway]]|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> was a [[NASCAR Cup Series]] [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 253|race]] that was held on February 21, 2021 at [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]. |
The '''2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2021/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend.aspx|title=DAYTONA Road Course Weekend|work=[[Daytona International Speedway]]|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126180722/https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2021/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend/Daytona-Road-Course-Weekend.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> was a [[NASCAR Cup Series]] [[O'Reilly Auto Parts 253|race]] that was held on February 21, 2021 at [[Daytona International Speedway]] in [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]. |
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Added as a replacement for the cancelled Auto Club 400 because of [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorsport|California restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic]], the 2021 race was scheduled for 70 laps on the {{convert|3.61|mi|km|adj=on}} road course, it was the |
Added as a replacement for the cancelled Auto Club 400 because of [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorsport|California restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic]], the 2021 race was scheduled for 70 laps on the {{convert|3.61|mi|km|adj=on}} road course, it was the second race of the [[2021 NASCAR Cup Series]] season. The race is lengthened from the 2020 schedule, where it was run at 65 laps of the course for 235 miles. It was a {{convert|400|km|mi|sp=us|adj=on}} race in 2021, similar to the Charlotte and Road America road course races.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stage lengths for 2021 NASCAR season |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/01/25/stage-lengths-for-2021-nascar-season/ |newspaper=Official Site of Nascar |date=25 January 2021 |publisher=NASCAR |access-date=2021-01-26 |ref=NASCARLengths}}</ref> |
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==Chicane issues== |
==Chicane issues== |
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During the [[2021 Busch Clash|Busch Clash]], track visibility issues came after a safety car situation was called on Lap 9 of the first segment of 15 laps with excessive mud and dirt at the exit of the bus stop on the backstretch. The mud and dirt led to Kevin Harvick spinning early in the race, visibility issues, and later in the race, leader [[Martin Truex |
During the [[2021 Busch Clash|Busch Clash]], track visibility issues came after a safety car situation was called on Lap 9 of the first segment of 15 laps with excessive mud and dirt at the exit of the bus stop on the backstretch. The mud and dirt led to Kevin Harvick spinning early in the race, visibility issues, and later in the race, leader [[Martin Truex Jr.]] caused a safety car by crashing at the exit after overdriving the chicane and losing traction from the mud that had accumulated during the race.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bardley |first1=Charles |title=Truex: Daytona needs to "figure out" keeping chicane mud off track |url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/truex-daytona-chicane-mud-nascar/5375115/ |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport.com Network |access-date=2021-02-17 |ref=MSport}}</ref> |
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A social media post by [[Denny Hamlin]] confirmed on February 16 that additional work was being done in the bus stop kerbing, with officials planning to add "sausage kerbing" (also known as "turtles") to the chicane as used in the |
A social media post by [[Denny Hamlin]] confirmed on February 16 that additional work was being done in the bus stop kerbing, with officials planning to add "sausage kerbing" (also known as "turtles") to the chicane as used in the front stretch chicane in the bus stop to prevent drivers from short-cutting the chicane and throwing mud on the circuit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamlin |first1=Denny |title=Denny Hamlin on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/dennyhamlin/status/1361859363271507968/photo/1 |website=Twitter.com |publisher=Twitter |access-date=2021-02-17 |ref=HamlinTwitter}}</ref> The right rumble strip is {{convert|36|ft|m}} long while the left is {{convert|30|ft|m}} long.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/155112/daytona-chicane-changes-after-driver-criticism |title= Daytona chicane undergoes changes after driver criticism |last= Utter |first= Jim |work= [[Autosport]] |date= 18 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021}}</ref> |
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==Entry list== |
==Entry list== |
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===Starting Lineup=== |
===Starting Lineup=== |
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[[Chase Elliott]] was awarded the pole for the race. This is the first of 28 scheduled one-day races using the competition-based formula from the 2020 season that began with [[2020 Go Bowling 235|last year's road course race]] based on owner point standings (35%) and from the previous round, the car's fastest lap (15%) and finishing position (driver's for 25% and owner's for 25%; 41st position is used in the average if the driver or owner did not participate in the previous race). |
[[Chase Elliott]] was awarded the pole for the race.<ref name="2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 Lineup" /> This is the first of 28 scheduled one-day races using the competition-based formula from the 2020 season that began with [[2020 Go Bowling 235|last year's road course race]] based on owner point standings (35%) and from the previous round, the car's fastest lap (15%) and finishing position (driver's for 25% and owner's for 25%; 41st position is used in the average if the driver or owner did not participate in the previous race). |
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |
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==Race== |
==Race== |
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The seventy lap race was won by [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] driver [[Christopher Bell (racing driver)|Christopher Bell]] in a Toyota. A [[safety car]] period was called for rain which bunched the pack up, but the leaders changed onto [[Racing slick|dry tires]] rather than [[rain tire]]s. Another caution period was called because [[Tyler Reddick]]'s car caught fire. Bell claimed the lead when he overtook [[Joey Logano]] on the penultimate lap.<ref name="Autosport race report">{{Cite news |url= https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/155150/bell-takes-first-nascar-cup-win-on-daytona-road-course |title= Nascar Daytona road course: Bell passes Logano for first Cup win |last= Nichol |first= Jake |date= 22 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021 |work= [[Autosport]]}}</ref> It was Bell's first Cup Series victory.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-nascar/christopher-bell-wins-oreilly-on-daytona-infield-road-course-idUSMTZXEH2LWL1QML |title= Christopher Bell wins O'Reilly on Daytona infield road course |work= [[Reuters]] |date= 21 February 2021 | access-date= 22 February 2021}}</ref> It was the first time since the [[1950 NASCAR Grand National Series]] that a year's opening brace of races had maiden winners. Bell's teammate Hamlin finished in third behind Logano. Polesitter Elliott led most of the race but span after a collision with [[Kurt Busch]] and came 21st.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-joe-gibbs-nascar-christopher-bell-joey-logano-8bcc069fba4b53ecd7e3e9e4f002bf18 |title= Bell snags first Cup victory in another surprise Gibbs win |date= 22 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021 |work= [[Associated Press]] |last= Fryer |first= Jenna}}</ref> Busch finished fourth ahead of [[Brad Keselowski]]. Both drivers gained positions by not making additional [[pit stop]]s. Before this, Busch had fallen down the order after he span while leading, while Keselowski had also made mistakes. [[Michael McDowell]], who had won the [[2021 Daytona 500]] a week prior, recovered from a lap one puncture to finish eighth.<ref name="Autosport race report" /> |
The seventy lap race was won by [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] driver [[Christopher Bell (racing driver)|Christopher Bell]] in a Toyota. A [[safety car]] period was called for rain which bunched the pack up, but the leaders changed onto [[Racing slick|dry tires]] rather than [[rain tire]]s. Another caution period was called because [[Tyler Reddick]]'s car caught fire. Bell claimed the lead when he overtook [[Joey Logano]] on the penultimate lap.<ref name="Autosport race report">{{Cite news |url= https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/155150/bell-takes-first-nascar-cup-win-on-daytona-road-course |title= Nascar Daytona road course: Bell passes Logano for first Cup win |last= Nichol |first= Jake |date= 22 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021 |work= [[Autosport]]}}</ref> It was Bell's first Cup Series victory.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/motor-nascar/christopher-bell-wins-oreilly-on-daytona-infield-road-course-idUSMTZXEH2LWL1QML |title= Christopher Bell wins O'Reilly on Daytona infield road course |work= [[Reuters]] |date= 21 February 2021 | access-date= 22 February 2021}}</ref> It was the first time since the [[1950 NASCAR Grand National Series]] that a year's opening brace of races had maiden winners. Bell's teammate Hamlin finished in third behind Logano. Polesitter Elliott led most of the race but span after a collision with [[Kurt Busch]] and came 21st.<ref name="Associated Press race report">{{Cite news|url= https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-joe-gibbs-nascar-christopher-bell-joey-logano-8bcc069fba4b53ecd7e3e9e4f002bf18 |title= Bell snags first Cup victory in another surprise Gibbs win |date= 22 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021 |work= [[Associated Press]] |last= Fryer |first= Jenna}}</ref> Busch finished fourth ahead of [[Brad Keselowski]]. Both drivers gained positions by not making additional [[pit stop]]s. Before this, Busch had fallen down the order after he span while leading, while Keselowski had also made mistakes.<ref name="Autosport race report" /> Harvick followed Keselowski, while [[A. J. Allmendinger]] took [[Kaulig Racing]]'s best Cup Series result in seventh.<ref name="Associated Press race report" /> [[Michael McDowell (racing driver)|Michael McDowell]], who had won the [[2021 Daytona 500]] a week prior, recovered from a lap one puncture to finish eighth. [[Kyle Larson]] and [[Kyle Busch]] were both in the top five in the final twenty laps, but Larson spun into a tire barrier coming out of turn 7 and finished 30th, while Busch's team made a strategic error and was involved in a minor crash with Chris Buescher, finishing 35th.<ref name="Autosport race report" /> |
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Bell said he was "not overly shocked",<ref name="Autosport Bell not shocked" /> but felt that "to win the first road course of the year is quite surprising".<ref name="Autosport Bell not shocked">{{Cite news|url= https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/155153/bell-not-overly-shocked-to-claim-first-nascar-cup-win |title= Bell not "overly shocked" to claim first NASCAR Cup win |last= Nichol |first= Jake |work= [[Autosport]] |date= 22 February 2021 |access-date= 22 February 2021}}</ref> He also said that he "certainly knew we would be in contention or at least competitive today."<ref name="Autosport Bell not shocked" /> He expressed the view that road racing "showcases talent".<ref name="Autosport Bell not shocked" /> |
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The caution flag flown for rain during the last stage of the race was criticized as an "entertainment" caution, due to the surface being not being considered too wet to continue racing, as well as also altering the finish of the race preventing Elliott (who, alongside Kyle Busch, questioned the caution over the radio on ''[[NASCAR Race Hub]]'''s ''Radioactive'' segment, the show's team radio chatter highlights) from walking away easily with a win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beyondtheflag.com/2021/02/23/nascar-entertainment-caution-problem/|title = Does NASCAR have an entertainment caution problem?|date = 23 February 2021}}</ref> The race had been declared a dry race at the start. Had the start been declared a wet race (teams must start on rain tires), NASCAR would not call a safety car situation if it dries, and rains again. NASCAR changed rules in 2022 where, if a race was declared a dry race to start, a safety car is no longer automatically implemented when rain becomes an issue to prevent this situation. |
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===Stage Results=== |
===Stage Results=== |
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|8 || 3 || Austin Dillon || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 3 |
|8 || 3 || Austin Dillon || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 3 |
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|- |
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|9 || |
|9 || 4 || Kevin Harvick || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 2 |
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|10 || |
|10 || 17 || Chris Buescher || Roush Fenway Racing || Ford || 1 |
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!colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/21/2021-02cup-results.pdf Official stage one results] |
!colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/2/21/2021-02cup-results.pdf Official stage one results] |
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! Points |
! Points |
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|1 || 12 || 20 || Christopher Bell || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 70 || |
|1 || 12 || 20 || Christopher Bell || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 70 || 47 |
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|2 || 11 || 22 || Joey Logano || Team Penske || Ford || 70 || 52 |
|2 || 11 || 22 || Joey Logano || Team Penske || Ford || 70 || 52 |
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|5 || 15 || 2 || Brad Keselowski || Team Penske || Ford || 70 || 39 |
|5 || 15 || 2 || Brad Keselowski || Team Penske || Ford || 70 || 39 |
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|- |
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|6 || 5 || 4 || Kevin Harvick || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 70 || |
|6 || 5 || 4 || Kevin Harvick || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 70 || 33 |
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|7 || 34 || 16 || A. J. Allmendinger '''(i)''' || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 70 || 0 |
|7 || 34 || 16 || A. J. Allmendinger '''(i)''' || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 70 || 0 |
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|10 || 36 || 48 || Alex Bowman || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 70 || 27 |
|10 || 36 || 48 || Alex Bowman || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 70 || 27 |
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|- |
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|11 || 30 || 17 || Chris Buescher || Roush Fenway Racing || Ford || 70 || |
|11 || 30 || 17 || Chris Buescher || Roush Fenway Racing || Ford || 70 || 27 |
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|12 || 19 || 19 || Martin Truex Jr. || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 70 || 35 |
|12 || 19 || 19 || Martin Truex Jr. || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 70 || 35 |
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===Television=== |
===Television=== |
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[[Fox NASCAR|Fox Sports]] televised the race in the United States on [[Fox NASCAR|Fox]]. [[Mike Joy]], six-time Daytona winner [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Clint Bowyer]] |
[[Fox NASCAR|Fox Sports]] televised the race in the United States on [[Fox NASCAR|Fox]]. [[Mike Joy]], six-time Daytona winner [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Clint Bowyer]] called the race from the broadcast booth. [[Jamie Little]] and [[Regan Smith (racing driver)|Regan Smith]] handled pit road for the television side. [[Larry McReynolds]] provided insight from the Fox Sports studio in Charlotte. |
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
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!Booth announcers!!Pit reporters!!In-race analyst |
!Booth announcers!!Pit reporters!!In-race analyst |
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| '''Lap-by-lap:''' [[Mike Joy]]<br />'''Color-commentator:''' [[Jeff Gordon]]<br />'''Color-commentator:''' [[Clint Bowyer]] || [[Jamie Little]]<br />[[Regan Smith]] || [[Larry McReynolds]] |
| '''Lap-by-lap:''' [[Mike Joy]]<br />'''Color-commentator:''' [[Jeff Gordon]]<br />'''Color-commentator:''' [[Clint Bowyer]] || [[Jamie Little]]<br />[[Regan Smith (racing driver)|Regan Smith]] || [[Larry McReynolds]] |
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!Booth announcers!!Turn announcers!!Pit reporters |
!Booth announcers!!Turn announcers!!Pit reporters |
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| '''Lead announcer:''' Alex Hayden<br />'''Announcer:''' |
| '''Lead announcer:''' Alex Hayden<br />'''Announcer:''' [[Mike Bagley]]<br />'''Driver Expert:''' [[Rusty Wallace]] || '''Turns 2–6 <small>(Infield section)</small>:''' [[Dave Moody (sportscaster)|Dave Moody]]<br />'''Turns 7–10:''' Kurt Becker<br />'''Turns 11–14:''' Dan Hubbard || Steve Post<br />Jason Toy |
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Latest revision as of 05:34, 24 August 2022
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Race 2 of 36 in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series | |||
Date | February 21, 2021 | ||
Location | Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida | ||
Course |
Permanent racing facility 3.570 mi (5.745 km) | ||
Distance | 70 laps, 252.7 mi (406.7 km) | ||
Average speed | 84.452 miles per hour (135.912 km/h) | ||
Pole position | |||
Driver | Hendrick Motorsports | ||
Grid positions set by competition-based formula | |||
Most laps led | |||
Driver | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | |
Laps | 45 | ||
Winner | |||
No. 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | |
Television in the United States | |||
Network | Fox | ||
Announcers | Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer | ||
Nielsen Ratings | 4.750 million[7] | ||
Radio in the United States | |||
Radio | MRN | ||
Booth Announcers | Alex Hayden, Mike Bagley and Rusty Wallace | ||
Turn Announcers |
|
The 2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253[8] was a NASCAR Cup Series race that was held on February 21, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Added as a replacement for the cancelled Auto Club 400 because of California restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 race was scheduled for 70 laps on the 3.61-mile (5.81 km) road course, it was the second race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. The race is lengthened from the 2020 schedule, where it was run at 65 laps of the course for 235 miles. It was a 400-kilometer (250 mi) race in 2021, similar to the Charlotte and Road America road course races.[9]
Chicane issues[edit]
During the Busch Clash, track visibility issues came after a safety car situation was called on Lap 9 of the first segment of 15 laps with excessive mud and dirt at the exit of the bus stop on the backstretch. The mud and dirt led to Kevin Harvick spinning early in the race, visibility issues, and later in the race, leader Martin Truex Jr. caused a safety car by crashing at the exit after overdriving the chicane and losing traction from the mud that had accumulated during the race.[10]
A social media post by Denny Hamlin confirmed on February 16 that additional work was being done in the bus stop kerbing, with officials planning to add "sausage kerbing" (also known as "turtles") to the chicane as used in the front stretch chicane in the bus stop to prevent drivers from short-cutting the chicane and throwing mud on the circuit.[11] The right rumble strip is 36 feet (11 m) long while the left is 30 feet (9.1 m) long.[12]
Entry list[edit]
- (R) denotes rookie driver.
- (i) denotes driver who are ineligible for series driver points.
Starting Lineup[edit]
Chase Elliott was awarded the pole for the race.[4] This is the first of 28 scheduled one-day races using the competition-based formula from the 2020 season that began with last year's road course race based on owner point standings (35%) and from the previous round, the car's fastest lap (15%) and finishing position (driver's for 25% and owner's for 25%; 41st position is used in the average if the driver or owner did not participate in the previous race).
Race[edit]
The seventy lap race was won by Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell in a Toyota. A safety car period was called for rain which bunched the pack up, but the leaders changed onto dry tires rather than rain tires. Another caution period was called because Tyler Reddick's car caught fire. Bell claimed the lead when he overtook Joey Logano on the penultimate lap.[13] It was Bell's first Cup Series victory.[14] It was the first time since the 1950 NASCAR Grand National Series that a year's opening brace of races had maiden winners. Bell's teammate Hamlin finished in third behind Logano. Polesitter Elliott led most of the race but span after a collision with Kurt Busch and came 21st.[15] Busch finished fourth ahead of Brad Keselowski. Both drivers gained positions by not making additional pit stops. Before this, Busch had fallen down the order after he span while leading, while Keselowski had also made mistakes.[13] Harvick followed Keselowski, while A. J. Allmendinger took Kaulig Racing's best Cup Series result in seventh.[15] Michael McDowell, who had won the 2021 Daytona 500 a week prior, recovered from a lap one puncture to finish eighth. Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch were both in the top five in the final twenty laps, but Larson spun into a tire barrier coming out of turn 7 and finished 30th, while Busch's team made a strategic error and was involved in a minor crash with Chris Buescher, finishing 35th.[13]
Bell said he was "not overly shocked",[16] but felt that "to win the first road course of the year is quite surprising".[16] He also said that he "certainly knew we would be in contention or at least competitive today."[16] He expressed the view that road racing "showcases talent".[16]
The caution flag flown for rain during the last stage of the race was criticized as an "entertainment" caution, due to the surface being not being considered too wet to continue racing, as well as also altering the finish of the race preventing Elliott (who, alongside Kyle Busch, questioned the caution over the radio on NASCAR Race Hub's Radioactive segment, the show's team radio chatter highlights) from walking away easily with a win.[17] The race had been declared a dry race at the start. Had the start been declared a wet race (teams must start on rain tires), NASCAR would not call a safety car situation if it dries, and rains again. NASCAR changed rules in 2022 where, if a race was declared a dry race to start, a safety car is no longer automatically implemented when rain becomes an issue to prevent this situation.
Stage Results[edit]
Stage One Laps: 16
Pos | No | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 10 |
2 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 9 |
3 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 8 |
4 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Team Penske | Ford | 7 |
5 | 1 | Kurt Busch | Chip Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 6 |
6 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 5 |
7 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 4 |
8 | 3 | Austin Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 3 |
9 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 2 |
10 | 17 | Chris Buescher | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 1 |
Official stage one results |
Stage Two Laps: 18
Pos | No | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 10 |
2 | 1 | Kurt Busch | Chip Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 9 |
3 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 8 |
4 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 7 |
5 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 6 |
6 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 5 |
7 | 24 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 4 |
8 | 41 | Cole Custer | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 3 |
9 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger (i) | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 0 |
10 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 1 |
Official stage two results |
Final Stage Results[edit]
Stage Three Laps: 36
Pos | Grid | No | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Laps | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 70 | 47 |
2 | 11 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 70 | 52 |
3 | 4 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 70 | 52 |
4 | 17 | 1 | Kurt Busch | Chip Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 48 |
5 | 15 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Team Penske | Ford | 70 | 39 |
6 | 5 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 70 | 33 |
7 | 34 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger (i) | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 0 |
8 | 2 | 34 | Michael McDowell | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 70 | 29 |
9 | 6 | 37 | Ryan Preece | JTG Daugherty Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 28 |
10 | 36 | 48 | Alex Bowman | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 27 |
11 | 30 | 17 | Chris Buescher | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 70 | 27 |
12 | 19 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr. | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 70 | 35 |
13 | 13 | 41 | Cole Custer | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 70 | 27 |
14 | 37 | 43 | Erik Jones | Richard Petty Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 23 |
15 | 27 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | 70 | 22 |
16 | 35 | 99 | Daniel Suárez | Trackhouse Racing Team | Chevrolet | 70 | 21 |
17 | 26 | 10 | Aric Almirola | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 70 | 20 |
18 | 16 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | JTG Daugherty Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 19 |
19 | 38 | 96 | Ty Dillon (i) | Gaunt Brothers Racing | Toyota | 70 | 0 |
20 | 33 | 6 | Ryan Newman | Roush Fenway Racing | Ford | 70 | 17 |
21 | 1 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 31 |
22 | 31 | 38 | Anthony Alfredo (R) | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 70 | 15 |
23 | 39 | 15 | James Davison | Rick Ware Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 14 |
24 | 20 | 77 | Justin Haley (i) | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 0 |
25 | 21 | 51 | Cody Ware (i) | Petty Ware Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 0 |
26 | 10 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | 23XI Racing | Toyota | 70 | 11 |
27 | 25 | 53 | Garrett Smithley (i) | Rick Ware Racing | Chevrolet | 70 | 0 |
28 | 28 | 78 | Scott Heckert | Live Fast Motorsports | Ford | 70 | 9 |
29 | 40 | 66 | Timmy Hill (i) | MBM Motorsports | Toyota | 70 | 0 |
30 | 8 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 12 |
31 | 7 | 7 | Corey LaJoie | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet | 70 | 6 |
32 | 18 | 14 | Chase Briscoe (R) | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 70 | 5 |
33 | 22 | 24 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 69 | 8 |
34 | 3 | 3 | Austin Dillon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 69 | 6 |
35 | 14 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 69 | 3 |
36 | 23 | 52 | Josh Bilicki | Rick Ware Racing | Ford | 68 | 1 |
37 | 32 | 21 | Matt DiBenedetto | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 65 | 1 |
38 | 24 | 8 | Tyler Reddick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 58 | 1 |
39 | 9 | 42 | Ross Chastain | Chip Ganassi Racing | Chevrolet | 26 | 1 |
40 | 29 | 00 | Quin Houff | StarCom Racing | Chevrolet | 3 | 1 |
Official race results |
Race statistics[edit]
- Lead changes: 12 among 7 different drivers
- Cautions/Laps: 8 for 12
- Red flags: 0
- Time of race: 2 hours, 59 minutes and 32 seconds
- Average speed: 84.452 miles per hour (135.912 km/h)
Media[edit]
Television[edit]
Fox Sports televised the race in the United States on Fox. Mike Joy, six-time Daytona winner Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer called the race from the broadcast booth. Jamie Little and Regan Smith handled pit road for the television side. Larry McReynolds provided insight from the Fox Sports studio in Charlotte.
Fox | ||
---|---|---|
Booth announcers | Pit reporters | In-race analyst |
Lap-by-lap: Mike Joy Color-commentator: Jeff Gordon Color-commentator: Clint Bowyer |
Jamie Little Regan Smith |
Larry McReynolds |
Radio[edit]
MRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
MRN Radio | ||
---|---|---|
Booth announcers | Turn announcers | Pit reporters |
Lead announcer: Alex Hayden Announcer: Mike Bagley Driver Expert: Rusty Wallace |
Turns 2–6 (Infield section): Dave Moody Turns 7–10: Kurt Becker Turns 11–14: Dan Hubbard |
Steve Post Jason Toy |
Standings after the race[edit]
|
|
References[edit]
- ^ "2021 schedule". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Daytona International Speedway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Entry List" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "Starting Lineup". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ "O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR. February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Points standings" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 ratings". ShowBuzzDaily. Mitch Metcalf. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "DAYTONA Road Course Weekend". Daytona International Speedway. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Stage lengths for 2021 NASCAR season". Official Site of Nascar. NASCAR. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ Bardley, Charles. "Truex: Daytona needs to "figure out" keeping chicane mud off track". Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com Network. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ Hamlin, Denny. "Denny Hamlin on Twitter". Twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ Utter, Jim (18 February 2021). "Daytona chicane undergoes changes after driver criticism". Autosport. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Nichol, Jake (22 February 2021). "Nascar Daytona road course: Bell passes Logano for first Cup win". Autosport. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Christopher Bell wins O'Reilly on Daytona infield road course". Reuters. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ a b Fryer, Jenna (22 February 2021). "Bell snags first Cup victory in another surprise Gibbs win". Associated Press. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Nichol, Jake (22 February 2021). "Bell not "overly shocked" to claim first NASCAR Cup win". Autosport. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Does NASCAR have an entertainment caution problem?". 23 February 2021.