Kenseth gets Nationwide win
Matt Kenseth pulled away from traffic on the final restart of Friday night’s Nationwide Series race, cruising to a comfortable win at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway.
The race was on pace to be one of the fastest in Daytona history until a late accident brought out a red-flag stoppage that lasted nearly 10 minutes.
There were only two laps remaining when the race resumed and Kenseth paired up with defending Truck Series champion James Buescher on the restart. The two easily broke away from the pack, leaving everyone else racing for third place.
Kenseth and Buescher weren’t challenged to the finish, with Kenseth taking the win and Buescher finishing second.
Third went to Elliott Sadler, who picked up a $100,000 bonus from series sponsor Nationwide as the highest-finishing driver in the “Dash 4 Cash” program. Kurt Busch finished fourth.
Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kenseth swept the front row for Saturday night’s NASCAR race at Daytona.
Busch turned a lap at 193.723 mph in Friday qualifying to win the pole. Kenseth was second at 193.299.
Clint Bowyer qualified second and Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. was fifth as Toyota drivers took four of the first five spots. Kasey Kahne wedged his Chevrolet in at fourth.
Daniel Alfredsson bolted from the Ottawa Senators to sign with the Detroit Red Wings, sensing that was the best move he could make in his drive to win a title before his career ends.
And Jarome Iginla signed a one-year deal with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins on Friday night. The longtime Calgary Flames and short-time Pittsburgh Penguins forward will make $1.8 million guaranteed and can earn up to $6 million with Boston.
Less than a year after the league’s latest lockout, many teams spent big bucks on free agents despite knowing they will have to deal with a smaller salary cap next season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were among the big spenders, signing Nathan Horton to a $37.1million, seven-year contract.
Soon after adding Alfredsson, the Red Wings agreed to terms on a $24.5 million, five-year contract with 30-year-old center Stephen Weiss.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson to a $36.75-million, seven-year deal and kept first-line center Tyler Bozak with a $21-million, five-year deal.
Tampa Bay, which cleared salary cap by buying out 33-year-old Vincent Lecavalier, agreed to a $25-million, five-year deal with 29-year-old center Valtteri Filppula.