Joey Logano celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2012. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Kyle Busch was in the worst position at the end of Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event from Talladega Superspeedway.
He was leading.
Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Joey Logano pulled a slingshot pass off in the second attempt at a green-white-checker finish and won the Aaron’s 312. Logano passed his teammate to earn his first win of the NNS season by 0.034 seconds.
“Super excited to win it that way because you don’t know you’ve got it until you’re at the line,” said Logano, who had finished second in his last two Nationwide races at Talladega.
Logano’s victoy was overshadowed by a tense few minutes following Eric McClure’s wreck that brought out the red flag.
The roof of McClure’s No. 14 had to be cut off in order for emergency personnel to get the driver out of the car safely. McClure was lifted out of his car, placed on a stretcher and airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. Prior to being taken to the hospital, he was talking to the emergency personal, and at last word from NASCAR he was talking to the medical staff at UAB Hospital.
Here is video of McClure’s crash:
Other drivers involved in the “Big One” included Kevin Harvick, Tayler Malsam, and Michael Annett. All drivers were evaluated at the infield care center and later released.
“That’s Talladega, man,” Harvick said.
And for those that were wondering, NASCAR’s darling, Danica Patrick had a memorable first race at Talladega. While she ran up front for most of the race, it was the last restart that has all of NASCAR a buzz tonight. Sam Hornish, Jr lost a tire and ran her up into the wall. On the cooldown lap after the race was over, she would retaliate by turning him into the wall. She would finish 13th.
NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. would lead 25 laps of the Aaron’s 399 but would fifth.
The next race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series is Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 6:30 PM EST on ESPN 2 from Darlington Raceway.
Unofficial Results:
1. Joey Logano
2. Kyle Busch
3. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr
4. Cole Whitt
5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
6. Kurt Busch
7. James Beushcer
8. Justin Allgaier
9. Kenny Wallace
10. Elliott Sadler
11. Ryan Truex
12. Sam Hornish, Jr.
13. Danica Patrick
14. Erik Darnell
15. Josh Wes Townley
16. Danny Efland
17. Austin Dillion
18. Mike Bills
19. Joe Nemecheck
20. Brad Keselowski
21. Timmy Hill
22. Kevin Harvick
23. Michael Annett
24. Tayler Malsham
25. Jeffrey Earnhardt
26. Robert Richardson, Jr.
27. Eric McClure
28. Mike Wallace
29. Jeremy Clements
30. Josh Richards
31. TJ Bell
32. Tim Andrews
33. Brad Sweet
34. Jason Bowles
35. Morgan Shepherd
36. Brian Scott
37. Johanna Long
38. Mike Harmon
39. Jeff Green
40. Josh Wise
41. Chase Miller
42. Scott Speed
43. Kevin Lepage
