Tyler Reddick, driver of the #9 BurgerFi Chevrolet, crosses the finish line in front of Elliott Sadler to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway. [Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images]
By Joe Jennings
Tyler Reddick edged Elliott Sadler in a thrilling photo finish at the Daytona International Speedway in the 37th annual PowerShares QQQ 300, the season opening NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
And it took five overtimes and 143 laps to finish the crash-riddled race, which set a record for caution flags with 12 flying for 49 laps.
According to NASCAR, the margin of victory was 0.000 to make it the closest finish ever in NASCAR’s national series history. Until today, the closest finish took place in 1995 in a Camping World Truck Series race in Colorado.
“The finish was insane,” Reddick said. “It came down to the side draft. Honestly, I wish I could say I timed it right. Situationally, I knew I needed to get down by his door and back up as soon as I could if I wanted to win this race. Maybe this is one time out of 10 that move will work, so I am glad it worked out. Winning this race is very special.”
Sadler was flabbergasted not to win and he had to be consoled by team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I did everything I could to win it, but he did a really good job of coming down on me at the last minute, slowing me down. But I still thought we were really close, but I just didn’t know until my spotter came on the radio and said the 9 car won it, which deflated my balloon really quick.”
Reddick drove the BurgerFi Chevrolet and Sadler the OneMain Financial Chevrolet, both fielded by JR Motorsports.
In the last lap mayhem, Ryan Reed took third and Taz Grala fourth with Garrett Smithley fifth.
The second five finishers were Spencer Gallagher, Ryan Truex, Daniel Suarez, Ross Chastain and Brandon Jones.
Nine of the top-10 finishers were Xfinity regulars.
Kyle Larson led the most laps – 57 but he and other Cup regulars crashed out at the end. A 13-car crash during one overtime decimated the field.
