2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250

The 2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250 was a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on February 18, 2011. The race was the first of the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing won the pole position, while Michael Waltrip of Vision Aviation Racing won.

2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250
Race details
Race 1 of 25 in the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season
Map of the speedway
Map of the speedway
Date February 18, 2011 (2011-February-18)
Location Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
Course Permanent racing facility
2.5 mi (4.02336 km)
Distance 100 laps, 250 mi (402.336 km)
Weather Temperatures reaching up to 81 °F (27 °C); wind speeds up to 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)[1]
Average speed 130.025 miles per hour (209.255 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Richard Childress Racing
Most laps led
Driver James Buescher Turner Motorsports
Laps 55
Winner
No. 15 Michael Waltrip Vision Aviation Racing
Television in the United States
Network Speed
Announcers Rick Allen, Phil Parsons, Darrell Waltrip

Qualifying

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46 trucks entered the race. Todd Bodine led the first practice session with a top speed of 193.175 miles per hour (310.885 km/h), while Cole Whitt led the second and final with a speed of 191.026 mph (307.427 km/h).[2] Qualifying was held on February 17. Austin Dillon clinched the pole position with a lap speed of 179.047 mph (288.148 km/h), his eighth-career Truck Series pole.[3] Following Dillon was James Buescher, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ricky Carmichael and rookie Johanna Long,[4] while the top ten closed with Elliott Sadler, Matt Crafton, Joey Coulter, Johnny Sauter and Brad Sweet. Nelson Piquet Jr. initially qualified fourth,[5] but, along with Aric Almirola, were disqualified after post-qualifying inspection when it was revealed that their trucks were too low, and were forced to start from the rear.[3] Rick Crawford, Cole Whitt, Tayler Malsam, Chris Eggleston, Alli Owens, Mike Skinner, Jamie Dick, Brent Raymer, Grant Enfinger and Clay Greenfield failed to qualify. Although Skinner was eligible for the past champion's provisional, due to being the 1995 series champion, his team, Eddie Sharp Racing, failed to enter the race in time.[3]

Race

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James Buescher led the first 55 laps, and on lap 37, rookie Joey Coulter cut down a tire and crashed into the turn 2 wall, bringing out the first caution of the race.[6] On the second caution for Donnie Neuenberger's bed cover falling off the truck in turn 4, Timothy Peters took the lead after taking only fuel on lap 56, followed by Ricky Carmichael and Buescher. On lap 66, Justin Marks' hood loosened and covered the windshield, causing him to crash into turn 1.[7] The green flag flew from lap 70 to 75, when Travis Kvapil's tire blew and hit five trucks, while Neuenberger, who was running in the back, failed to slow down in time and collided with other trucks;[6] altogether, 14 trucks (Kvapil, Neuenberger, Max Papis, Matt Crafton, Todd Bodine, Johnny Sauter, Ron Hornaday Jr., Johanna Long, Justin Lofton, Brendan Gaughan, T. J. Bell, Jason White, Craig Goess and Jennifer Jo Cobb) were involved.[8] On lap 85, the caution was flown after Lofton crashed into David Starr.[6] The green flag flew from lap 89 to 97, when Aric Almirola collided with Brad Sweet,[9] creating a nine-truck crash also involving Austin Dillon, Papis, Kyle Busch, Parker Kligerman, Bodine, Chris Fontaine and Buescher.[8] As a result, officials stopped the race for ten minutes to clean up,[9] and the 100-lap race was extended to initiate a green-white-checker finish.[6]

Sometime during the lap under caution before the final restart, the right half of Waltrip's rear spoiler collapsed and fell flat, greatly reducing the aerodynamic drag on his truck that the spoiler is designed to do at Daytona, to limit top speed and encourage drafting. This suddenly gave his truck a prohibitive advantage. On the final lap, Waltrip pushed Elliott Sadler far ahead of the pack, and with his illegally advantaged truck, easily passed him on his outside in the final yards to claim his first Truck Series win, becoming the 22nd driver to win in all three of NASCAR's top series (Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Trucks). The win was on the ten-year anniversary of Waltrip's first career NASCAR Cup Series win in the 2001 Daytona 500, which was also the site of Waltrip's team owner Dale Earnhardt's death. Clay Rogers, Miguel Paludo and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five, followed by Cobb (the highest finish by a woman in the Truck Series, and the first top 10 by a female in NASCAR's top three series),[7] Jeffrey Earnhardt, Carmichael, Buescher and Crafton.[8]

Post-race

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Michael Waltrip (seen in 2008), the 2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250 winner

In victory lane, Waltrip stated:[9]

"This day, it was hard. I've been emotional all day long. It's been really emotional. I just was determined to win the race for him. So I'm drained. I'm thankful. I didn't come here to celebrate winning the 2001 Daytona 500. I came here to celebrate Dale's life and honor him."

Afterwards, NASCAR confiscated Waltrip's rear spoiler, half of it having fallen;[3] NASCAR reported it to be a failure, but continued to examine it.[9] NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp stated, "It appeared to be a failed part. The spoiler broke on the green-white-checkered finish. Our typical procedure is, instead of having an immediate reaction, we'll take a look and, if necessary, we'll have whatever reaction is appropriate the first of the week."[7] Eventually, the team was revealed to have "violated Sections 12–1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules), and 20B-3.1.2E (rear spoiler did not meet specifications in post-race inspection)".[10] Vision Aviation Racing owner Billy Ballew was penalized 25 owner points, while crew chief Doug Howe was fined $25,000, and was placed on probation for the remainder of the year. As Waltrip was not competing for Truck Series points, he was not penalized any drivers points.[11]

Results

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Qualifying

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Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 50.266 179.047
2 31 James Buescher Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet 50.422 178.423
3 33 Ron Hornaday Jr. Kevin Harvick Incorporated Chevrolet 50.517 178.158
4 4 Ricky Carmichael Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet 50.614 177.816
5 20 Johanna Long (R) Panhandle Motorsports Toyota 50.780 177.235
6 2 Elliott Sadler Kevin Harvick Incorporated Chevrolet 50.889 176.856
7 88 Matt Crafton ThorSport Racing Chevrolet 50.988 176.512
8 22 Joey Coulter (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 51.057 176.274
9 13 Johnny Sauter Curb Racing Chevrolet 51.071 176.225
10 32 Brad Sweet Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet 51.122 176.049
11 15 Michael Waltrip Vision Aviation Racing Toyota 51.178 175.857
12 23 Jason White Joe Denette Motorsports Chevrolet 51.191 175.812
13 29 Parker Kligerman (R) Brad Keselowski Racing Dodge 51.285 175.428
14 7 Miguel Paludo (R) Red Horse Racing Chevrolet 51.303 175.428
15 30 Todd Bodine Germain Racing Toyota 51.427 175.261
16 84 Chris Fontaine Glenden Enterprises Team Toyota 51.400 175.097
17 77 Justin Lofton Germain Racing Toyota 51.407 175.073
18 17 Timothy Peters Red Horse Racing Toyota 51.427 175.005
19 92 Clay Rogers RBR Enterprises Chevrolet 51.495 174.774
20 99 Chad McCumbee Chase Mattioli Racing Ford 51.500 174.757
21 18 Kyle Busch Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota 51.508 174.730
22 50 T. J. Bell MAKE Motorsports Chevrolet 51.549 174.591
23 1 Jeffrey Earnhardt Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet 51.685 174.132
24 5 Travis Kvapil Randy Moss Motorsports Toyota 51.701 174.078
25 81 David Starr SS-Green Light Racing Toyota 51.756 173.893
26 62 Brendan Gaughan Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 51.916 173.357
27 07 Donnie Neuenberger SS-Green Light Racing Chevrolet 51.929 163.314
28 46 Craig Goess (R) Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota 51.941 173.274
29 39 Ryan Sieg RSS Racing Chevrolet 51.973 173.167
30 66 Justin Marks Turn One Racing Chevrolet 52.045 172.927
31 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb JJC Racing Ford 52.233 172.305
32 57 Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet 52.956 169.952
33 93 Shane Sieg RSS Racing Chevrolet 52.985 169.859
34 51 Aric Almirola Vision Aviation Racing Toyota N/A N/A
35 8 Nelson Piquet Jr. (R) Kevin Harvick Incorporated Chevrolet N/A N/A
36 9 Max Papis Germain Racing Toyota 51.594 174.439
Failed to Qualify
37 73 Rick Crawford Tagsby Racing Chevrolet 51.660 174.216
38 60 Cole Whitt (R) Turn One Racing Chevrolet 51.713 174.037
39 25 Tayler Malsam Germain Racing Toyota 51.920 173.344
40 27 Chris Eggleston Winfield Motorsports Dodge 51.963 173.200
41 76 Alli Owens Ray Hackett Racing Ford 52.323 172.008
42 45 Mike Skinner Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota 52.327 171.995
43 02 Jamie Dick Corrie Stott Racing Chevrolet 52.513 171.386
44 85 Brent Raymer Brent Raymer Racing Ford 52.573 171.191
45 28 Grant Enfinger FDNY Racing Chevrolet 52.921 170.065
46 68 Clay Greenfield Alger Motorsports Chevrolet N/A N/A
Source:[12]

Race results

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Pos Grid No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Led Status Points
1 11 15 Michael Waltrip Vision Aviation Racing Toyota 103 1 running 0
2 6 2 Elliott Sadler Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 103 32 running 0
3 19 92 Clay Rogers RBR Enterprises Chevrolet 103 2 running 42
4 14 7 Miguel Paludo (R) Red Horse Racing Toyota 103 0 running 40
5 21 18 Kyle Busch Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota 103 0 running 0
6 31 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Ford 103 0 running 0
7 23 1 Jeffery Earnhardt Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet 103 0 running 37
8 4 4 Ricky Carmichael Turner Motorsports Chevrolet 103 1 running 37
9 2 31 James Buescher Turner Motorsports Chevrolet 103 55 running 37
10 7 88 Matt Crafton ThorSport Racing Chevrolet 103 0 running 34
11 18 17 Timothy Peters Red Horse Racing Toyota 103 12 running 34
12 36 9 Max Papis Germain Racing Toyota 103 0 running 32
13 25 81 David Starr SS-Green Light Racing Toyota 103 0 running 31
14 33 93 Cole Whitt (R) RSS Racing Chevrolet 103 0 running 30
15 13 29 Parker Kligerman (R) Brad Keselowski Racing Dodge 103 0 running 29
16 28 46 Craig Goess (R) Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota 102 0 running 28
17 9 13 Johnny Sauter ThorSport Racing Chevrolet 101 0 running 27
18 17 77 Justin Lofton Germain Racing Toyota 98 0 running 26
19 16 84 Chris Fontaine Glenden Enterprises Toyota 96 0 crash 25
20 1 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 96 0 crash 24
21 10 32 Brad Sweet Turner Motorsports Chevrolet 96 0 crash 23
22 34 51 Aric Almirola Vision Aviation Racing Toyota 96 0 crash 0
23 15 30 Todd Bodine Germain Racing Toyota 96 0 crash 21
24 30 66 Justin Marks Turn One Racing Chevrolet 96 0 running 20
25 29 39 Ryan Seig RSS Racing Chevrolet 91 0 battery 19
26 26 62 Brendan Gaughan Germain Racing Toyota 90 0 running 18
27 35 8 Nelson Piquet Jr. (R) Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 80 0 engine 17
28 3 33 Ron Hornaday Jr. Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet 79 0 running 16
29 24 5 Travis Kvapil Randy Moss Motorsports Toyota 74 0 crash 15
30 12 23 Jason White Joe Denette Motorsports Chevrolet 74 0 crash 14
31 22 50 T. J. Bell MAKE Motorsports Chevrolet 74 0 crash 13
32 5 20 Johanna Long (R) Panhandle Motorsports Toyota 74 0 crash 12
33 27 07 Donnie Neuenberger Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet 70 0 crash 0
34 8 22 Joey Coulter (R) Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 65 0 running 10
35 20 99 Chad McCumbee Chase Mattioli Racing Ford 24 0 clutch 9
36 32 57 Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet 22 0 engine 8
Source:

Standings after the race

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Pos Driver Points[8]
1 Clay Rogers 42
2 Miguel Paludo 40
3 Jeffrey Earnhardt 37
4 Ricky Carmichael 37
5 James Buescher 37
6 Timothy Peters 34
7 Matt Crafton 34
8 Max Papis 32
9 David Starr 31
10 Cole Whitt 30

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Weather information for the 2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250 at The Old Farmers' Almanac
  2. ^ "Final Practice Session Speeds". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "THE RACE: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY – NextEra Energy Resources 250". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  4. ^ "Dillon Takes Daytona Truck Pole". Motor Racing Network. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  5. ^ Associated Press (February 17, 2011). "Austin Dillon wins pole for Trucks race". ESPN. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Smith, Steven Cole (February 18, 2011). "Michael Waltrip wins crash-filled NextEra trucks race at Daytona". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c Sporting News (February 20, 2011). "WALTRIP CLAIMS EMOTIONAL VICTORY AT DAYTONA". NASCAR. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d Associated Press (February 19, 2011). "Michael Waltrip wins Trucks race". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  10. ^ Bromberg, Nick (February 23, 2011). "Truck driven to win by Michael Waltrip penalized for spoiler issue". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Pockrass, Bob (February 25, 2011). "Michael Waltrip crew chief fined $25,000 for spoiler violation in Daytona truck race". Sporting News. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "2011 NextEra Energy Resources 250 qualifying results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 10, 2014.