DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Sunday’s Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway seemed calmer than normal for much of the races’ 59 laps — but a move by seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson ignited a 17-car crash.
The exhibition race was plagued by Mother Nature including two red flags but on Lap 56, Johnson attempted to make a move on leader Paul Menard but clipped the rear of his No. 21 Ford Mustang sending Menard around and into the path of the field which collected 14 race cars.
When the carnage ended the cars of Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Johnson, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, Menard, Ryan Newman, Daniel Suarez and Martin Truex Jr.
The crash began when Menard appeared to slightly move down the track to block a run from Johnson who was running second. The two made contact with Johnson tagging the left rear of Menard’s car, sending his Wood Bros. Racing Ford hard to the right and toward the outside backstretch wall. From there, the field piled in.
Johnson inherited the lead when Menard spun.
“I moved down a little bit and the next thing I knew, I was getting turned in the left rear,” Menard said. “We tore up the car for no good reason. It sucks that aggressive side drafting caused that big old crash.”
Heavy rain moved in shortly after 5:00 p.m., and the race was declared official handing Johnson his third-career Clash victory.
Johnson said he felt sorry for Paul (Menard) and the other teams that were involved, but his No. 48 Henrick Motorsports team are “here to win races.”
“We could see (the rain) coming, I got below him before he blocked,” Johnson explained. “I think he cam down a little bit to defend and block. I moved inside of him and he just came over. I feel sorry for Paul and other teams that lost race cars, but I’m here to win races.”
Despite the controversy, it was Johnson’s first win under the leadership of new crew chief Kevin Meendering who moved to Hendrick from JR Motorsports.
“It feels good to be back in Victory Lane,” sounded Johnson. “I’m extremely excited to win. It’s not a points race, but it’s a good start.”
Earlier in the day, Johnson’s former crew chief Chad Knaus helped William Byron win his first career Cup pole.
Menard dominated the race leading 51 of the first 55 laps.
“Jimmie (Johnson) pulled out and I kind of moved down a little bit and the next thing I know I get turned in the left rear,” sounded Menard. “Just aggressive. Jimmie does that a lot at these tracks.
“I had a really fast Motorcraft | Quick Lane Ford Mustang. Led a lot of laps but tore up a car for no reason.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
