Logano Won the Daytona Nationwide Race but Patrick Won the Fans

Danica Patrick gets drafting help from Tony Stewart in Daytona Nationwide race
Photo credit John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR

If Danica Patrick had any doubts about her acceptance into NASCAR by its fans, those doubts were erased during Friday night’s running of the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.  The first time the No. 7 Chevrolet drove to the front, fans were on their feet and the chants of “Danica” could be heard every time she made her move.

Until Patrick lost the connection with teammate Aric Almirola in their two-car tandem with one lap to go, it looked as if Patrick would get, if not the win, at least her best finish in a Nationwide race.

The JR Motorsports duo got a run to the outside through the final two corners but made contact with Mike Wallace and Elliott Sadler off the last turn. A fast Joe Gibbs Racing pair made up of Joey Logano and Kyle Busch came out of nowhere on the last lap and Logano took home a much-needed win as Patrick was involved in a crash and finished in the 10^th spot.

In the early parts of the race Patrick also received drafting help from Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart, part of a four-car group driving for Kevin Harvick, Inc. that included Sadler, Harvick and Clint Bowyer. The four had made up the front two rows at the start of Friday night’s race. 

“I really needed a win,” Logano said with a smile after the race.  Rumors have circulated the past few weeks that his results this year have left those in the Gibbs organization unhappy with the 21-year old. 

Jason Leffler was second and Nationwide points leader Reed Sorenson was third and claimed a $100,000 prize as the highest finisher among four drivers eligible for Nationwide's Dash 4 Cash program.

Kyle Busch finished fourth, Justin Allgaier fifth and Michael Annett sixth. Kenny Wallace slid through the infield grass to take the checkered flag seventh followed by the wrecked cars of Sadler, Almirola and Patrick, which crossed the finish line in positions 7-10, respectively.

Timmy Hill was the top finishing rookie as he crossed the line 23^rdand Blake Koch was 28^th to keep Hill in the lead for ROTY honors.