Daytona 500: Kyle Busch wins Stage 1
By Phil Naegely
Kyle Busch gained an advantage in the standings after winning the first stage of the Daytona 500.
The Daytona 500 smoothly run race through the first stage at Daytona International Speedway. These Monster Energy Cup Series drivers showed their experience overall as there weren’t too many mistakes collectively. When mistakes were made, they didn’t cause any major races like what occurred during Friday and Saturday. Kyle Busch gained an advantage in the standings by winning the first stage.
As a result of winning Stage 1, Busch earned 10 championship points and one playoff point. He went down a lap at one point in the race and found a way to get back onto the lead lap and cross the line first.
After being forced to use his backup car due to damage sustained on Thursday night, Jimmie Johnson began the Daytona 500 from the rear. Yet the seven-time champion found a groove and used his experience to finish in the top 10 after the first stage. Danica Patrick continued her impressive runs at Daytona by earning one point with her tenth-place finish.
The aggressive driving was evident during the first stage. This should continue toward the end of Stage 2 and before the Daytona 500’s final lap. Points earned during the first two stages can be the difference at the end of the season on who qualifies for the playoffs and who doesn’t.
2017 Daytona 500 Stage 1 top10 results
- Kyle Busch
- Kevin Harvick
- Ryan Blaney
- Brad Keselowski
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Kyle Larson
- Jamie McMurray
- Denny Hamlin
- Jimmie Johnson
- Danica Patrick
Next: NASCAR's new points rules explained
Dale Earnhardt Jr. started in the front row and was able to stay in the top five spots. The biggest surprise in the top 10 spots is probably Ryan Blaney. As a reminder, 10 points is given to first place down to one point to tenth is awarded at the conclusion of each stage. Each stage winner is also given one playoff point.