2017 Coke Zero 400

File:Daytona International Speedway on the day of the Daytona 500.JPG, the track where the race will be held.]]

The race will be held at Daytona International Speedway, a race track located in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, the track is the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, USCC, SCCA, and Motocross. It features multiple layouts including the primary {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} high speed tri-oval, a {{convert|3.56|mi|km}} sports car course, a {{convert|2.95|mi|km}} motorcycle course, and a {{convert|.25|mi|km}} karting and motorcycle flat-track. The track's {{convert|180|acre|adj=on}} infield includes the {{convert|29|acre|adj=on}} Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing. The speedway is owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation.

The track was built in 1959 by NASCAR founder William "Bill" France, Sr. to host racing held at the former Daytona Beach Road Course. His banked design permitted higher speeds and gave fans a better view of the cars. Lights were installed around the track in 1998 and today, it is the third-largest single lit outdoor sports facility. The speedway has been renovated three times, with the infield renovated in 2004 and the track repaved twice — in 1978 and in 2010.

On January 22, 2013, the track unveiled artist depictions of a renovated speedway. On July 5 of that year, ground was broken for a project that would remove the backstretch seating and completely redevelop the frontstretch seating. The renovation to the speedway is being worked on by Rossetti Architects. The project, named "Daytona Rising", was completed in January 2016, and it costed US $400 million, placing emphasis on improving fan experience with five expanded and redesigned fan entrances (called "injectors") as well as wider and more comfortable seating with more restrooms and concession stands. After the renovations, the track's grandstands include 101,000 permanent seats with the ability to increase permanent seating to 125,000.{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Steve|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/daytona-international-unveils-plans-upgrade-215431071--nascar.html|title=Daytona International unveils plans for upgrade|website=sports.yahoo.com|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125033710/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/daytona-international-unveils-plans-upgrade-215431071--nascar.html|archive-date=January 25, 2013 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Vanity-Pages/2013/Redevelopment.aspx | title=Daytona Rising | publisher=Daytona International Speedway | date=December 5, 2013 | access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205142926/http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Vanity-Pages/2013/Daytona-Rising/DAYTONA-RISING.aspx|archive-date=December 5, 2013 }} The project was completed before the start of Speedweeks 2016.

Kyle Busch was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 45.584 seconds and a speed of {{Convert|197.438|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Lee|title=Kyle Busch leads opening Daytona Cup practice|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/kyle-busch-leads-opening-daytona-cup-practice-924891/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=June 29, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=June 29, 2017}}

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 46.553 seconds and a speed of {{Convert|193.328|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Lee|title=Dale Earnhardt Jr. tops final practice at Daytona|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-dale-earnhardt-jr-daytona-practice-924909/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=June 29, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=June 29, 2017}}

File:Dale earnhardt jr. (35880504591).jpg scored the pole position.]]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored the pole for the race with a time of 47.127 and a speed of {{Convert|190.973|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|last=Long|first=Mark|title=Earnhardt lands pole for what could be Cup finale at Daytona|url=http://racing.ap.org/article/earnhardt-lands-pole-what-could-be-cup-finale-daytona|access-date=June 30, 2017|work=Associated Press|agency=Associated Press|publisher=AP Sports|date=June 30, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016145448/http://racing.ap.org/article/earnhardt-lands-pole-what-could-be-cup-finale-daytona|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the field to the green flag at 7:58 p.m., but teammate Chase Elliott passed him in Turn 3 and led the first lap. After leading the first four, Elliott dropped to the bottom and allowed Brad Keselowski to pass him on the high-side going into Turn 1 to take the lead on the fifth lap. Ryan Sieg and Cole Whitt suffered engine failures on lap 10, bringing out the first caution of the race.{{cite web|last=Engle|first=Greg|title=The NASCAR Coke Zero 400 at Daytona as it happened|url=http://cupscene.com/nascar-coke-zero-400-daytona-happened/|website=CupScene.com|publisher=Cup Scene|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}}

The race restarted on lap 13. Denny Hamlin made an unscheduled stop a lap later for a loose wheel, which was a result of having only one lug nut. Fortuitous for him, caution #2 flew two laps later when D. J. Kennington spun out moments after blowing his engine in Turn 4.

Back to green on lap 20, Kevin Harvick – heading up the bottom line of cars – caught up to and edged out Keselowski at the start/finish line to take the lead on lap 30. The next lap, Earnhardt charged up the extreme outside and inched out both Keselowski and Harvick to lead his first lap of the night. Keselowski reestablished his lead on lap 33, but Earnhardt and Harvick bypassed him on lap 34, with Harvick leading it. Keselowski regained the point on lap 35 and Earnhardt took over on lap 37. Finally, Keselowski gained the upper hand on lap 38 and won the first stage on lap 40, with caution #3 flying moments later for the conclusion of the stage. Erik Jones took over the lead when the others pitted, as he opted not to pit.

A lap after resuming action on lap 47, Hamlin took over the lead. Exiting Turn 4 on lap 49, Michael McDowell and Daniel Suárez made contact and both wound up on the apron. But rather than blend back into the field and risk causing a wreck, both dove full speed down pit road – which NASCAR allows drivers to do to avoid a wreck/avoid causing a wreck – and rejoined the field at the tail-end.{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Chris|title=Through an adventurous night Michael McDowell earns career-best fourth at Daytona|url=http://www.catchfence.com/260955/adventurous-night-michael-mcdowell-earns-career-best-fourth-daytona|website=Catchfence.com|publisher=Catchfence|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}} Earnhardt cut down a tire and hit the wall in Turn 1 on lap 51, a result of contact with Paul Menard.{{cite news|last=James|first=Brant|title=James: Dale Earnhardt Jr. can't summon Daytona magic despite best efforts|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/columnist/brant-james/2017/07/02/dale-earnhardt-jr-column-coke-zero-400-daytona/446390001/|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=July 1, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}} Caution flew for the fourth time when Jeffrey Earnhardt blew an engine on lap 59.

The race returned to green on lap 64. Matt Kenseth took the lead from teammate Hamlin on lap 69. Rounding Turn 2 on lap 71, Kyle Busch suffered a left-rear tire failure and spun out in front of most of the field, resulting in a 10-car wreck, which brought out the fifth caution.{{cite news|last=Hembree|first=Mike|title=Kyle Busch, Danica Patrick among drivers in big crash at Daytona|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/07/02/daytona-crash-kyle-busch-danica-patrick/446351001/|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=July 1, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}} Austin Dillon, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. took the heaviest damage in the melee.{{cite web|last=Norman|first=Brad|title=Monster Energy Series front-runners foiled by Stage 2 stack-up at Daytona|url=http://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/07/01/daytona-international-speedway-coke-zero-400-multicar-crash-stage-2/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 1, 2017}} The failure was a result of Busch making contact the lap prior with McDowell heading into Turn 1.{{cite news|last=Dean|first=Zach|title=Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch caught up in 'wild night' of Coke Zero 400 wrecks|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/20170701/earnhardt-jr-kyle-busch-caught-up-in-wild-night-of-coke-zero-400-wrecks|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal|publisher=GateHouse Media|date=July 1, 2017}} Logano's comments after he was released from the care center verified supported this, saying he saw McDowell get "into the side of (Busch). I didn't see any smoke off (Busch's car), just a near miss. Then four or five laps later I think, the left-rear popped on and around (Busch) started going and we were there."{{cite web|last=Bianchi|first=Jordan|title=Kyle Busch's spin causes 'Big One' at Daytona|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2017/7/1/15909788/2017-nascar-daytona-kyle-busch-joey-logano-big-one-accident|website=SBNation.com|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 1, 2017}}

Racing resumed on lap 76 and Kenseth drove on to win the second stage. Caution #6 flew moments later for the end of the stage. Harvick elected not to pit and usurped the lead under the caution.

File:Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2017 NASCAR Media Tour (cropped).jpg won the race.]]

On the lap 86 restart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. passed Harvick heading down the backstretch to take the lead. Brendan Gaughan made contact with the wall in Turn 2 on lap 90, bringing out the seventh caution. Suárez took the lead when Stenhouse pitted.

Back to green on lap 96, Elliott and McDowell made contact exiting Turn 2 on lap 98, which sent Elliott spinning down the backstretch, collecting Trevor Bayne in the process.{{cite web|last=Albino|first=Dustin|title=Michael McDowell Records First Career Top-Five Finish at Daytona|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2017/07/02/michael-mcdowell-records-first-career-top-five-finish-at-daytona/|website=Frontstretch.com|publisher=Frontstretch|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}} This brought out the eighth caution.

On the ensuing lap 102 restart, Kenseth took back the lead from teammate Suárez, only to lose it two laps later to Jimmie Johnson. Caution #9 flew a lap later when Harvick suffered a rear tire blowout and spun out in Turn 2, collecting Earnhardt and three others.{{cite news|last=Kerasotis|first=Peter|title=On His Way Out, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Revs Up Daytona|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/02/sports/autoracing/dale-earnhardt-jr-daytona.html|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 2, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}} Earnhardt said afterwards that he wished he "had had a good finish tonight if not a win. We were working up in there and having a good time and being aggressive and wearing out the sides of that race car. It just wasn't to be."{{cite news|last=Weaver|first=Matt|title=What's next for Dale Jr. after disappointing Daytona NASCAR result?|url=http://autoweek.com/article/nascar/whats-next-dale-jr-after-disappointing-daytona-nascar-result|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=Autoweek|publisher=Crain Communications|date=July 2, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}} Clint Bowyer took the lead when Johnson pitted.

Restart flew on lap 111. The next lap around, Stenhouse was back in front. Caution flew for the 10th time on lap 117 when Keselowski spun out in Turn 4. Stenhouse and Bowyer pitted, handing the lead back to Kenseth.

When the field reached the backstretch on the lap 121, Kasey Kahne was turned by David Ragan and spun down onto the apron, bringing out the 11th caution.

The race restarted on lap 125. Ryan Blaney made a crossover move on Kenseth on the backstretch to take the lead with 33 laps to go. Caution flew for the 12th time a lap later when Matt DiBenedetto when he suffered a right-front tire failure and slammed the wall.

The race resumed with 28 to go. Stenhouse worked his way back to the front with 25 to go, with Kahne taking over the following lap. From 22 to 20 to go, he and Suárez battled side-by-side for the lead, with Kahne taking sole control with 19 to go. With 11 to go, Stenhouse side-drafted him down the backstretch to retake the lead. Ty Dillon was credited as the leader with nine to go. Coming to the line with eight to go, Kyle Larson got turned into the tri-oval wall, lifting his car into the air for a few seconds.{{cite web|last=Norman|first=Brad|title=Late-race calamity, red flag cap a night of intensity at Daytona|url=http://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/07/02/daytona-international-speedway-coke-zero-400-multicar-crash-red-flag/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}} After his car landed back on the ground, it was t-boned by Blaney and made contact with Kenseth.{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Lee|title=Stenhouse wins wild NASCAR Cup race at Daytona|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/stenhouse-wins-wild-nascar-cup-race-at-daytona-925655/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}} This triggered a multi-car wreck that brought out the 13th caution, as well as an eight-minute and 41-second red flag.{{cite web|last=Courson|first=Daniel|title=Stenhouse Jr. claims second career victory in Coke Zero 400|url=http://theracingexperts.com/dis-ii-mencs-recap.php|website=TheRacingExperts.com|publisher=The Racing Experts|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Dillon lacked draft help on the ensuing restart with three to go, while Ragan got an excellent push to take the race lead.{{cite web|last=Crandall|first=Kelly|title=Ragan reflects after losing out on restart|url=http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/141971-ragan-reflects-after-losing-out-on-restart|website=Racer.com|publisher=Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705014609/http://www.racer.com/nascar/item/141971-ragan-reflects-after-losing-out-on-restart|archive-date=July 5, 2017|url-status=dead}} But a 2-car spin on the backstretch involving Jones and Hamlin sent the race into overtime and brought out the 14th caution.

Heading down the backstretch in overtime with two to go, Ragan jumped to the high line and left the bottom open.{{cite news|last=Weaver|first=Matt|title=David Ragan can smile despite Monster Energy NASCAR Cup loss at Daytona|url=http://autoweek.com/article/monster-energy-nascar-cup/david-ragan-can-smile-despite-monster-energy-nascar-cup-loss|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=Autoweek|publisher=Crain Communications|date=July 2, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}} Stenhouse pounced on the opening, took the lead going into Turn 3 and drove on to score the victory.{{cite news|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|title=Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wins crash-filled race at Daytona|url=http://racing.ap.org/article/ricky-stenhouse-jr-wins-crash-filled-race-daytona|access-date=July 2, 2017|work=Associated Press|agency=Associated Press|publisher=AP Sports|date=July 2, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706053452/http://racing.ap.org/article/ricky-stenhouse-jr-wins-crash-filled-race-daytona|archive-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Stenhouse said in victory lane that his win validated "what we did at Talladega. We have been working hard at Roush Fenway and this pushes us further along. This Ford Performance team has been amazing. Ford has been dominant.”{{cite web|last=Mays|first=Robbie|title=Stenhouse Jr. Wins at Daytona|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2017/07/Ricky-Stenhouse-Jr-Wins-Coke-Zero-400-at-Daytona.aspx|website=MRN.com|publisher=Motor Racing Network|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704234824/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2017/07/Ricky-Stenhouse-Jr-Wins-Coke-Zero-400-at-Daytona.aspx|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Bowyer, who finished runner-up, said being bridesmaid "sucks. I want to win. We're in this business to win. That's what Tony (Stewart) and Gene (Haas) pay me to do."{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Lee|title=Bowyer a bridesmaid again: "I want to win"|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-bowyer-second-daytona-925660/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}} He also added that Stenhouse had "the fastest car right then. He did a good job getting it to the front, and she set sail. He does a good job of blocking. He's learned a lot. He's become a good [restrictor-]plate racer. I remember when he came in, he was a little bit chaotic, but he's not now. He's got it figured out, and he's won two of them."{{cite web|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|title=Ricky Stenhouse Jr. closes strong to win at Daytona|url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/19786286/nascar-ricky-stenhouse-jr-backs-earlier-win-one-daytona|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}}

McDowell, who finished a career-best fourth, on top of his six top-20 finishes in eight races, said it's awesome "to do this week after week. We've been putting together solid runs. At the same time, coming to the line second, I thought I had a shot at (Stenhouse) but just they had such a big run behind I couldn't hold them off.”{{cite web|last=Long|first=Dustin|title=Daytona provided a chance for drivers often overlooked to shine|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/07/02/daytona-provided-a-chance-for-drivers-often-overlooked-to-shine/|website=NASCARTalk.com|publisher=NBC Sports|access-date=July 4, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=July 2, 2017}}

Ragan, who finished sixth after leading on the final restart, said he "made one bad move," and a few other "bad moves tonight," but that he was in a damned if he did and damned if he didn't scenario. "So if it was Thursday and you said ‘We'll give a sixth-place finish,’ I probably would have taken that coming down to Daytona because my record hasn't been that great the last several years here," he added. "I've been caught up in wrecks and haven't been able to finish one of these things clean, but to be that close is bittersweet. It hurts, but I got a lot of racing left and I'm a tough guy. I can handle it.”{{cite news|last=James|first=Brant|title=David Ragan won't let missed chance at Daytona spoil season|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/07/02/david-ragan-wont-let-missed-chance-daytona-spoil-season/446477001/|access-date=July 4, 2017|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=July 2, 2017|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}}

Stage 1

Laps: 40

Stage 2

Laps: 40

Stage 3

Laps: 83

• Lead changes: 16 among different drivers
• Cautions/Laps: 14 for 51
• Red flags: 1 for 8 minutes and 41 seconds
• Time of race: 3 hours, 17 minutes and 12 seconds
• Average speed: {{convert|123.986|mph|km/h}}

NBC Sports will cover the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte will call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast report from pit lane during the race.

MRN had the radio call for the race which was also simulcasted on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Drivers' Championship standings

{{col-2}}

;Manufacturers' Championship standings

• Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
• . – Driver has clinched a position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{NASCAR next race

| Series = Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

| Monsteryear = 2017

| Previous_race = 2017 Toyota/Save Mart 350

| Next_race = 2017 Quaker State 400

}}

{{2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup}}

{{NASCAR on NBC}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coke Zero 400}}

2017 Coke Zero 400

Category:2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Category:2017 in sports in Florida

Category:July 2017 sports events in the United States