Grant Enfinger’s determination assisted him to victory lane in the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. His celebration after the impressive win proved just how much his third career ARCA Racing Series victory meant.
“This is pretty special,” Enfinger said. “To get this, Iowa and Mobile last year means the world to me. Appreciate everybody at Team BCR. We have some great sponsors and great partners. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
Enfinger, who began the race in the second starting position, fought off a late race caution and a charging Frank Kimmel to seal the victory. Kimmel wounded up with a career-best second place finish at DIS, but again, his ultimate career goal of winning at Daytona wasn’t accomplished.
Clay Campbell, Martinsville Speedway President, racked up a magnificent third place finish. Tom Hessert and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top five after making many moves in the closing laps.
The pivotal moment of the event occurred in the beginning laps after Buster Graham was sent around which caused a catastrophe on the front stretch. Justin Boston, Will Kimmel, Justin Allison and Jeb Burton were the notable drivers involved in the multi-car incident.
Dylan Kwasniewski, who inherited the pole after many competitors failed post-qualifying tech, was shuffled outside the top five in the closing laps and eventually finished a dismal 14th position.
Chase Elliott, who was certainly a favorite entering the race, finished ninth after having a bad restart with under nine laps to go. John Wes Townely, last year’s Daytona winner, finished a satisfying 11th place finish.
The ARCA Racing Series returns to the racetrack on March 22nd at Mobile International Speedway, which is Enfinger’s home track and a track in which he captured one of his three career victories.
