NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 25, 2012
Photo – John Harrelson/Getty Images

Every time the Nationwide Series rolls into Daytona, the drivers always put on a show. In the past few seasons, we’ve witnessed some of the greatest races and finishes at Daytona. Come Saturday, the drivers will be ready to battle it out on track in an attempt to get to victory lane in the opening race of the 2013 Nationwide Series season. Cup drivers in the field will look to take home the victory but, the Nationwide Series regulars will look to protect their turf and come home with the victory.

The Drive4COPD 300 will take place on Saturday February 23, 2013 and the green flag is scheduled to fly at 1:34 PM EST. The race will feature 120 laps and 300 miles. The weather forecast looks partly cloudy but, with high of 87 F and a low of 62 F which will make the track slick and therefore, the racing could be a bit more competitive. There is only a 10% chance of rain for the race. The race will be broadcasted on ESPN and a radio broadcast of the race can be heard on MRN. If this race is like the 2012 race was, we are in for a show and possibly even a surprise winner.

The 2012 Drive4COPD 300 featured many wrecks which resulted in a ton of torn up cars. James Buescher won the race after a massive last lap pile-up in turn four allowed Buescher to go from tenth to the lead in turn four. Buescher was able to get back to the line first and score his first win in one of NASCAR’s top three series. Going into last year’s race, Danica Patrick was on the pole and the hype was surrounding her. But, she wrecked out of the race after getting a hit from behind by her own teammate. Many Cup regulars were featured in last year’s race and many of the same will be returning this year to try and take the win on Saturday afternoon.

The Cup regular’s presence will definitely be heard during the race since many of them will be running up front and competing for win. Notable Cup drivers who will be competing in the race include Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick, Kyle Busch, Joe Nemechek and Dale Earnhardt Jr. All of those drivers are favorites to get to victory lane but, they’ll need to beat some of the bigger named Nationwide regulars including Trevor Bayne, Austin Dillon, Elliot Sadler, Regan Smith, Sam Hornish Jr, Brian Vickers, Justin Allgaier, Kyle Larson, Nelson Piquet Jr, Michal Annett, Travis Pastrana and Parker Kligerman. The field is definitely going to be competitive and you’ll have to tune-in Saturday to see who can take the checkered flag.

This could be one of the best Nationwide Series races of the year due to the fact that anyone can possibly win. The shortened field for the Nationwide Series this season (43 to 40 cars) will mean less start and park cars and more cars out on the track and competing for the win. Many drivers will be leading the race on Saturday but, whichever driver can put him or herself out front on the last lap, while coming to the checkered flag will probably take home the victory. The race will surely be wild and anything and everything will happen.

Event Schedule

9:00-9:50 AM EST (Thursday) Nationwide Series Practice, not televised

10:15-11:50 AM EST (Thursday) Nationwide Series Final Practice, televised on ESPN2

3:35 PM EST (Friday) Nationwide Series Qualifying, televised on ESPN2

1:15 PM EST (Saturday) Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300, televised on ESPN

Next Race– 3/2 Dollar General 200 Fueled By Amerigas at the Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona

Entry List via Jayski.com