Elliott Sadler started the 160-lap event at Daytona International Speedway from the 29th position
Sadler was credited with a 22nd-place finish after being involved in a late race multi-car accident
Sadler holds the 28th position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings heading into Chicagoland Speedway
Race Summary: Elliott Sadler lined up his No. 19 Air Force Ford Fusion in the 29th position for his 24th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night. By the time NASCAR brought out a competition caution at Lap 15, the No. 19 had advanced through the field to the ninth position.Sadler restarted in the 8th position as the field went back to green flag racing at Lap 20. In just five laps, Sadler took the lead and became one of a race record 18 different leaders.
Sadler’s Air Force machine was dialed in and the driver maintained position among the top five cars before taking the lead again at Lap 40. While Sadler reported he was happy with his Ford Fusion, the team came in for a scheduled green flag pit stop at Lap 55 for fresh Goodyear tires, fuel and minor trackbar adjustments.
In typical restrictor plate racing style, Sadler got shuffled to the middle of the field as the race approached the halfway point but was able to maintain a top-15 position. At Lap 83 after some contact from another competitor, the No. 19 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford scraped the wall while running 13th. The contact left some front fender damage but Sadler was able to hold his ground. With less than 15 laps to go in the scheduled 160-lap event, a wild multi-car accident unfolded in Turn 4, which took out more than 15 competitors, including Sadler. The damage ended what had been a solid day for the No. 19 Air Force team and left the team with a 22nd-place result. Prior to the incident, Sadler led a total of four times for 11 laps.
Sadler on the Daytona Event: “This was definitely a disappointing day for this No. 19 Air Force team. We had an amazing Ford Fusion there in the early stages of this race. I just hate how the night ended. We were able to run up front and then fight back from some earlier damage. My guys worked so hard all weekend long and I’m really proud of them.”
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