2016 Sprint Unlimited

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The 2016 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona was the first exhibition race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, held on February 13, 2016, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2.5-mile track produced a 79-lap race (about 197.5 miles), though the schedule listed 75 laps. The race was divided into two segments of 25 laps and 50 laps, and it ended under NASCAR’s new overtime rules after a late crash.

Track and weather: Daytona’s four-turn superspeedway has turns banked at 31 degrees and the front stretch at 18 degrees. The race was run under clear night skies with a temperature around 52 °F and a north wind at 12 mph.

Entry and lineup: The event was open to drivers who won a pole in 2015 or had previously won the Sprint Unlimited. Twenty-five drivers entered. Tony Stewart was slated to race, but after a burst fracture in his back, Brian Vickers drove in his place. Vickers was not technically eligible by the rules, but NASCAR allowed him to compete. Starting order was set by a random draw, with Jimmie Johnson on the pole.

Practice speeds: Kyle Larson was fastest in the first practice at 199.344 mph (45.148 seconds). Denny Hamlin was fastest in the final practice at 198.930 mph (45.242 seconds).

Race summary: Jimmie Johnson led the field to green just after 8:30 p.m. Brad Keselowski took the early lead with help from the outside line. The race featured multiple cautions, including a Lap 13 two-car wreck and a Lap 23 multi-car crash that damaged several cars. Denny Hamlin stayed in front for a while, while Keselowski and others swapped the lead at different times. A late single-car spin and a multi-car crash set up a dramatic finish under the new overtime rule.

Finish: Denny Hamlin won the race for Joe Gibbs Racing, leading 39 laps. He held off late challenges from teammates and competitors after the overtime restart. Joey Logano finished second after a strong push from others, but Hamlin held on for the victory.

Broadcast: The race was shown on Fox in the United States, with Mike Joy, Jeff Gordon, and Darrell Waltrip in the booth. The overnight Nielsen rating was 2.6. MRN provided radio coverage with a team of announcers.

Notes: The race marked the debut of NASCAR’s overtime rule, intended to finish races under green-flag conditions. Hamlin credited teamwork and experience with helping him stay up front and win.