ARCA Countdown #5 – 2012 Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200

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Photo - Terry Renna/AP

Photo – Terry Renna/AP

Bobby Gerhart came into Daytona as the two-time defending winner. He claimed his seventh win at the historic track in 2011 and the moment he stepped into Daytona International Speedway in 2012, he showed no signs of slowing down.

Gerhart posted the fastest time in qualifying, but his time was disallowed after the car failed an engine vacuum leak inspection, pinning the veteran deep in the field. No driver has ever won the race from the 42nd starting position.

Sean Corr started on the pole in his #82 Empire Racing Ford and led the first 14 laps.

As for Gerhart, he pitted on the first lap and was lapped by the leaders, until a caution on lap 7 enabled him to get the lucky dog and get back on the lead lap.

During the first caution, most of the leaders pitted as a few cars stayed out.

On lap 19, Brandon McReynolds made his way past Cale Gale to grab the lead. In 2011, McReynolds was running second at Talladega until he ran out of fuel, ending his chances to contend for the win.

After 80 laps, the race wasn’t over and everyone was running low on fuel.

Remember Bobby Gerhart. He topped off on lap ten, one lap later than all the leaders.

McReynolds led the field to green for a two-lap dash, looking for his first ARCA win. Running low on fuel, his car was still running out front in turn three on the last lap. Coming out of turn four, McReynolds still led as second place Chris Windom started slowing down. Bobby Gerhart, running fifth, made his way around, picking up a spot in the closing laps.

Shortly after Windom ran out, McReynolds appeared to be slowing down, and Gerhart powered right by him to claim his unprecedented eighth ARCA win at Daytona.

Even though it was heartbreaking for McReynolds, he would go on to win the Talladega race later that May.

The only reason this race isn’t higher on the list is because it was a tame race until that last turn.

2012 Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Top Ten

  1. #5 Bobby Gerhart (eighth Daytona win)
  2. #28 Drew Charlson (best career finish)
  3. #68 Will Kimmel
  4. #94 Steve Blackburn
  5. #66 Mark Thompson
  6. #9 Max Gresham
  7. #25 Brennan Poole
  8. #32 Chris Windom (ran out of gas while running second)
  9. #08 Alex Kennedy
  10.  #52 Tom Hessert

Notables

  1. #4 Brandon McReynolds (ran out of gas while leading coming to the checkered flag)

    20. #17 Chris Buescher (2012 ARCA champion)

    23. #44 Frank Kimmel

    43. #82 Sean Corr (won pole)