Video: Wild Finish of the Coke Zero 400

Miss the race? Wanna re-live the green-white-checkered finish? Here's your chance, thanks to Youtube.

Watch below for the Jeff Gordon-spinning, David Ragan-near-wrecking, Michael Waltrip-wall-banging, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch side-by-side finishing awesomeness that was the end of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in all of its glory from the live TNT broadcast.

The fun starts below as the field takes the final green flag of the race:

Gordon gets the on-track fireworks show started by getting turned around by Carl Edwards while riding in second place after the leaders exited the tri-oval under the green flag. Gordon took blame for the incident, though it left him with a disappointing 30th-place finish.

Edwards managed to get a run on Busch heading down the backstretch thanks to a push from teammate Matt Kenseth. As the field rounded turn four and headed for the white flag, Edwards and Busch were side-by-side as the field tried to wreck multiple times behind them.

David Ragan in the No. 6 and Clint Bowyer in the No. 07 were both nearly looking out the right side window at points as the field came out of the tri-oval but unbelievably kept from wrecking.

Finally, Michael Waltrip got turned into the turn one wall after Travis Kvapil slid down in to Dave Blaney, igniting a multi-car crash that finally brought out the race-ending caution, and after NASCAR reviewed replays, Kyle Busch was declared the winner.

Whew. What a finish, eh?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-07-2008 @ 6:00AM

rob said...

Yeah, it's exciting, but it's getting so damned predictable. You know it's going to be a green white checker finish, you know that everybody is going to act stupid at the end, you know that cars are going to get torn up. There was a day where that was kind of cool...but it happens too damned much. Too much mandated "parity" is costing teams more money than extra engines did, and is turning off most longtime fans. I'm enjoying IRL a whole lot more than I used to.

7-07-2008 @ 7:21AM

S Monroe said...

Geoffrey...did you watch the same race we did?? TNT's coverage was the worst broadcasting I have ever seen in 50 some years of watching TV! The commerical box took up a third of my screen and every few minutes the commercial in the box took over and the race was reduced to watching the cars in the top of the screen with no knowledge of what was going on!!!! You should check out TNT's forum section and you will see just how angry fans are. We had a party too...but everyone was so upset that we turned off the TV and put it on the radio!
SHAME ON TNT!!!!!

7-07-2008 @ 8:41AM

TheOtherSideofReason said...

Does anyone wonder why NASCAR is so INCONSISTENT???

Does anyone remember the Daytona 500 in Feb 2007?

NASCAR held off from throwing the caution on the final lap of the race. This gave Harvick the time needed to pass Mark Martin for the win.

If NASCAR was fair, there would not have been a caution until this race was finished. Carl Edwards would have been the winner. Conversely...a quick caution in 2007 would have given Martin the win. But we all know NASCAR is far from being FAIR!!

Speaking of fair...Toyota's have won 1/2 (half) the races so far this year!! NOW...prove to me that NASCAR has NOT given Toyota an unfair advantage with more Horsepower?!?!?!

7-07-2008 @ 9:09AM

Kim said...

I was actually irritated by yet another green, white, checker finish that was unfortunately unable to be completed. Part of the fun of restrictor plate racing is that final lap. The guy running up front might have been doing so for some time, but the field usually pulls behind someone else. I missed watching a real end to a pretty decent race.

Other than that, a depressing race for me since all my men had problems.....Tony got sick, left his car, Gordon made a dumb move by moving to the top of the track instead of staying at the bottom, costing him the race, Jimmie was an innocent victim to a vicious wreck that killed his chances after he'd been running a top three car all day, Dale Jr. went backwards for reasons I still don't understand, and Busch won yet again!!! How depressing! I thought Gordon was finally going to get his win this season, if not him, definitey Stewart or Jimmie would take number 2. Oh well, there's always next week!

As for TNT's wide open coverage, what is everyone complaining about? Yes, the commercial box to the small right bottom side of the screen was a tad bit distracting, but at least we got to see the whole race instead of commercials after every 5-7 laps. I'd like to say, THANK YOU to TNT! Too bad all their races can't be covered "wide open."

Kim

7-07-2008 @ 9:19AM

Othersideofreason:

No, Toyotas have not won nearly half the races this season! Kyle Busch has won five or six races out of 18 thus far, which by my math calculations is 1/3 of the races thus far this season. Have any other Toyotas other than Kyle Busch won? Nope! It's not Toyota, it's Kyle Busch. The kid is simply on fire, like him or not!

Let's see....we've had Edwards win three races (that's a Ford), Johnson won one (that's a Chevy), Kurt Busch won one along with Kasey Kahne winning two (they drive Dodges), Earnhardt Jr. winning one (that's a Chevy). So how is it you believe Toyota is winning "half of the races this season?" You are looking for a conspiracy that simply isn't there.

Kim

7-07-2008 @ 9:54AM

1/2...1/3

The conspiracy still exists!!

Look at it another way...

Toyotas have won at least 150% (up to 200%) more than any other manufacturer in the sprint CUP.

Now...add in the Nationwide series races for Toyota (12 of 18 wins) and you have EXACTLY 1/2 of all races in CUP and Nationwide series are won by Toyotas.

Last year the Toyotas had trouble staying in the top 35 in points.

And I'm still waiting for someone to PROVE Toyotas do NOT have and unfair horsepower advantage!!!

7-07-2008 @ 10:53AM

drgrcr601 said...

Kim, I heard Jr tell Tony Jr on the radio he got run into and had his steering knocked out of alignment in the final laps.

theothersideofreason...You're the one making the accusation so it is your place to prove whatever you feel needs to be proven. Furthermore it's rather difficult or impossible to prove something doesn't exist. Wouldn't you agree? JMO

Ron

7-07-2008 @ 11:07AM

The proof is in my previous post.

Two seasons (1 1/2 actually) and they have won 50% of every race this year in the Cup and Nationwide series.

So...there you have it!!

Back to my original post, NASCAR is run by a bunch of cheaters!! They have, and always will, control the outcome of every race until enough people speak up and complain.

Why else would they let Jr. pass the pace car during the final laps at MIS. Jr. was warned by NASCAR officials NOT to pass the pace car, but he continued to do it any way. Fair?

NO!!

But then again...NASCAR needs that $$$ MONEY $$$

7-07-2008 @ 11:33AM

That's well short of proof by any standard. Kyle is the only driver in that garage thats having a great year. Where is the logic in that. Wouldn't you think they would all have this "unfair horsepower advantage"? It's pretty much known by everyone (except for you I guess) that Toyoto has a 5 to 7 HP advantage. The rest of Nascar teams need to find it.

Rather petty to be whining about Jr passing the pace car. What does that have to do with winning the race? I don't know where you got your information but after Nascar warned Jr about that he quit doing it.

Ron

7-07-2008 @ 12:10PM

Waahahh....

"Don't pick on my favorite driver!!"

Only 5-7 more horsepower???

Yeah...right!

7-07-2008 @ 12:47PM

LOL..Let's face it, otherside, your driver is having a not-so-good year and the only way you can live with that is to dream up some damn conspiracy to pacify yourself and make excuses for his sub-par year. You have fallen into the "sour grapes" conspiracy pit of shady excuses. Best thing you can do now is to wipe away those tears, man-up, and hope for a better showing the rest of the year. JMO

Ron

7-07-2008 @ 1:09PM

My "Drivers" are doing just fine, thank you.

Let's see...3 in the top 12 and one on the bubble (especially once Truex jr. is penalized for not passing pre-testing inspection at Daytona!!! (That is...if NASCAR is "FAIR")

Now...if you yourself admit that Toyotas have more horsepower, then why would I need to "dream up some damn conspiracy"? The only difference between you and I on this matter is "How Much Horsepower"!!

The main difference is I KNOW where they get the extra horsepower!! You seem to live in a dream world and think that Toyota does not have any advantage from the NASCAR people.

NASCAR has everything to gain and nothing to loose by promoting and boosting the performance of Toyotas. The concept is simple, really. Toyata sells more cars OUTSIDE the U.S. than Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.

Since you seem a bit simple minded on this whole issue, I'll explain with 2 words.

F O R E I G N M A R K E T I N G !!!

Mexico...Canada...??? Where to next NASCAR? Japan?

7-07-2008 @ 2:01PM

If Toyoto had all this tremendous horsepower that you claim (but don't have a clue as to how much) other owners would be crying their eyes out. I haven't heard a peep. Know why? IT DOESN'T EXIST!! What the hell does foreign marketing have to do with Toyoto's horsepower. LOL

If your drivers are doing "just fine", what the hell are you complaining about. And you still haven't answered my question as to why Kyle is the only driver in that garage to be having a great year if what you claim is true.

Talk about me being a "bit simple minded". You run on like a person who is a LOT "simple minded" and Nascar knowledge challenged. I usually don't bother with posters who express such idiocies but I thought you really needed the help. Go back and read post #11 That is where your bitterness lies. The rest is meerly a smoke screen.

Ron

7-07-2008 @ 3:51PM

"IT DOESN'T EXIST!!"

But even you said that it exists...Or did you forget that already?!?! And you haven't answered my question...Why has Toyota won 1/2 the races????

"What the hell does foreign marketing have to do with Toyoto's horsepower. LOL"

IMO you seem to simple minded to figure this one out for yourself so I'll enlighten your day. NASCAR wants to expand it's fan base to other countries. They are looking long range 5-10 years down the road. To do that, they need a name that is recognized in those foreign countries. Hence, NASCAR wants the Toyota's at the top of the standings to attract more fans and more $$$$$$$.

Get it???

Now crawl back into your corner with your tail between your legs and shut up!!

7-07-2008 @ 4:35PM

art said...

toyota has 15 hp advantage and rick hendrick and clint boyer both acnowledged it . and dont forget jrs comments in the bush race

7-07-2008 @ 4:54PM

LOL God your funny. Lets see I have been involved in Racing my entire adult life. I have over 25 years of of experience driving different modes of race cars and hundreds of hours of seat time. I am a certified custom/racing engine builder and a licensed racing transmission R&D technician. I have spent many hours on dynos seeking out any way of extracting minute gains. You come on here with the only experience of running your mouth and expect me and everyone else to believe you have the damn answer that Nascar hands Toyoto HP just like that? Where the hell did it come from? Did they send it to them in a can?Being you know so damn much about it perhaps you could tell me how I go about getting Nascar to send me some HP that they so generously handed to Toyoto teams. That would save me a helluva lot of dyno time. You need to move on before I decide to get nasty. You're in way over your head and sound like an idiot. GET IT?

Ron

7-07-2008 @ 5:51PM

ron i have worked for network tv for ten years doing nascar and have seen the politics first hand . come on lets get nasty hot shot

7-07-2008 @ 5:56PM

hey ronald wasnt the cot put in place so 1 manufacturer wouldnt dominate the series? well toyota is dominating all three series . so what do you think of that little man , your probably getting a room with bernard right now

7-07-2008 @ 6:14PM

Whats your problem art? I haven't said a word to you. I'm well aware of the politics with Nascar art. Bring on what you think you need to. Actually Toyota is not dominating all three series. Kyle Busch is and I'm not ready to give all the credit to Toyoto although they have been dominant in the truck series for awhile. Tony and Dennie Are not having a spectacular year.

Ron

. JMO

Ron
Ron

7-07-2008 @ 6:34PM

wasnt the cot's common body to make all the cars equeal so 1 make didnt have a big advantage and put the racin in the drivers hands and not on toyotas power advantage in this case . i dont care who wins as long as every make can win every week . the way things are now i doesnt appear that way and by the comments of others and myself it sounds like we have a case.

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