NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2012
Photo – Getty Images

Daytona International Speedway will roar back to life this Friday Night as the Nationwide Series cars embark on the high-speed oval for the second time this season. Back in February, disaster struck in their race. A huge wreck coming to the checker put Kyle Larson’s car into the catch fence, tearing it apart. Many fans were injured and it became a race that many hoped to forget. As the series returns to the track this weekend, a safe and action-packed race is what everyone wants to see. But the name of the race has “firecracker” in it, so there should be some fireworks on display throughout the night.

The Subway Firecracker 250 is set for Friday, July 5, 2013 and green-flag time is 7:48 PM EST. A scattered bunch of two-car tandems will run 100 laps making up the 250 miles of the race. There’s always a chance of storms in Florida during July, so a chance of storms for the race is expected. A 50% chance of thunderstorms is forecast, along with a high of 85 F. ESPN has the television broadcast of the race and MRN will be on the radio calling this race that is sure to be exciting.

Last year’s race featured the usual amount fireworks along with some large wrecks. The two big ones in the race left many good cars torn-up and allowing some of the smaller team cars to have a strong finish. For example, Mike Bliss brought his machine home eighth and Timmy Hill managed to finish ninth. On the last lap, eventual winner Kurt Busch had a ton of drafting help from Ricky Stenhouse Jr. which was likely why Busch was able to bring his James Finch-owned-team into victory lane. It was kind of an upset win for the small team, but they did have Kurt Busch and everyone knows he is a talented driver. Will a similar race play out Friday? If history stays on track, then fans will likely see another spectacular Daytona race.

Daytona usually brings out the non-regular drivers looking forw a shot at the victory. A few notable names in the field this weekend include Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Ty Dillon, James Buescher, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch. They will all be looking to spoil the Nationwide drivers’ party and at Daytona, it could go either way.

A rain-shortened race last weekend at Kentucky left the Nationwide regulars with some disappointing finishes. Regan Smith didn’t have a great night, meaning good things for Sam Hornish Jr. since he was able to narrow the point gap between himself and Smith to just eight markers. After a little slump, Hornish Jr. is back on it and he’s looking to rekindle the fire that gave him his hot start of the season.

Day will fade into night when the Subway Firecracker 250 starts on Friday night. The day may start out calm, but by the time the checkered-flag falls, havoc will have occurred. It can be wild, crazy, disastrous, and sometimes even tame, but fans will see a show, and that can’t be denied. This race always seems to be one that no one soon forgets and surely, with ‘firecracker’ in the title, the history books will have some action-packed writing once the dust settles.

Event Schedule

2:30-3:50 PM EST (Thursday) Nationwide Series Practice, televised on SPEED

5:30-6:25 PM EST (Thursday) Nationwide Series Final Practice, televised on SPEED

2:05 PM EST (Friday) Nationwide Series Qualifying, televised on ESPN2

7:30 PM EST (Friday) Nationwide Series’ Race, the Subway Firecracker 250, televised on ESPN

Next Race– F.W. Webb 200 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire

Entry List via Jayski.com