NASCAR: Winners And Losers From Daytona

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Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (17) race during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Tony Stewart’s Pursuit Of A Chase Berth

It’s been a long time coming for Tony Stewart. His announced his retirement from full-time Cup Series action shortly before the 2016 season began.

In an unfortunate turn of events, he was involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident, leaving him with an injured back.

Stewart went on to miss the first eight races of the season, as he returned at Richmond for the ninth race of the year. NASCAR granted him a Chase waiver that allowed him into the Chase as long as he won at least one race and made it into the top-30 in the driver standings.

Besides a sixth-place finish at Talladega (one that Ty Dillon had earned for the No. 14 team), Stewart was obviously in a tough situation. His average finish was 25.2 and he was six to seven spots away from 30th place in the points with no wins to his name.

Just two weeks after a disappointing 34th-place finish at Pocono, Stewart pulled off an incredible win at Sonoma. This weekend, he stayed competitive but was eventually involved in a late wreck, leading to a 26th-place finish.

However, it was enough for Stewart to jump two spots in the point standings and get to 30th, just three points ahead of Brian Scott.

In his final season, Tony Stewart has officially clinched a spot in the Chase.

Next: Losing Valuable Points

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