Tag Archives: Drive4COPD 300

Smith Starts Season Off Right with Daytona Victory

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Regan Smith, driver of the #7 Ragu Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2014 Photo - Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Regan Smith, driver of the #7 Ragu Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2014
Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images

A somewhat surprising outcome to the Drive4COPD 300 featured the outside lane pushing Regan Smith to victory. All day, the outside lane struggled to keep up with the inside lane. The last restart changed everything as Smith was able to stay door-to-door with Brad Keselowski on the inside lane. Smith’s win was the first for a Nationwide regular in the season opener since 2001 when Randy LaJoie took the checkered flag.

If anyone were to say Regan Smith would have ended up in victory lane at the beginning of the race, they would have met weird looks. Smith was not a contender early. It wasn’t until a bit past the halfway point when he was able make it to the front.

Kyle Busch seemed the favorite early as he led for most the race. When Smith took the lead on Lap 76, it was from Busch. Smith and Keselowski seemed the only two drivers able to keep Busch away from the top spot. Continue reading →

Kwasniewski Wins the Pole for Daytona Nationwide Race

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Dylan Kwasniewski, driver of the #31 Rockstar/FOE Chevrolet, runs during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2014 Photo - Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Dylan Kwasniewski, driver of the #31 Rockstar/FOE Chevrolet, runs during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2014
Photo – Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Dylan Kwasniewski will start from the pole in his NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) début in the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway.  Continue reading →

Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 Preview

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Drive4COPDlogoWhen the 2013 season ended, there were plenty of questions about where some Nationwide Series drivers would land in 2014. And there was a lot of jostling as driver lineups and negotiations were finalized.

As the season-opening DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway draws near, the dust – for the most part – has settled.  Continue reading →

James Buescher Ready with RAB for 2014 Nationwide Season

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James Buescher at Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 11, 2014 Photo - Getty Images

James Buescher at Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 11, 2014
Photo – Getty Images

James Buescher is coming off three successful full-time seasons in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, including a championship with four wins in 2012, adding two more victories in 2013. He also recorded one Nationwide Series win, taking the checkered flag in the 2012 series’ season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

For 2014, Buescher is excited about his new team, RAB Racing. They announced in December a multi-year agreement to compete full-time in the Nationwide Series. Buescher understands the importance of his experience as he looks forward to his future. Continue reading →

Annett Recovering from Injury Suffered at Daytona

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Michael Annett, driver of the #43 Pilot Ford, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2013 Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Michael Annett, driver of the #43 Pilot Ford, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2013
Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Everything in life carries risks. Every time we wake up and get ready for the day, everything we do has its own risks. Every time a NASCAR driver climbs behind the wheel and straps in, they know their risk of getting hurt or possibly even killed.

Since NASCAR’s inception, several drivers have lost their lives and countless others have suffered a variety of injuries. When a driver gets hurt, they will still try to climb behind the wheel the following weekend unless it’s prevented by the severity of their injury. They may also have a driver on stand-by for a week or two in case they can’t go the distance.

During this past weekend’s race at Daytona, Michael Annett was caught up in a wreck that sent him to the hospital with pain & bruising in his chest.  Further evaluation led to the diagnosis of a fractured and dislocated sternum, which was corrected with surgery Wednesday. Annett’s injury will keep him out of the car for an indefinite period of time while he heals.  RPM is hopeful that Annett will return to the car in 6-8 weeks, although nothing is definite at this time. Continue reading →