NASCAR: Winners And Losers From Daytona

Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth (20) and Jimmie Johnson (48) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) race ahead of Casey Mears (13) and Aric Almirola (43) during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (5) makes a pit stop following a big crash around the 90th lap during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Chase Hopefuls

Coming into Daytona, many drivers like Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle needed solid outings, as they were just a few of the drivers hovering around the Chase bubble.

Through the first half of the race, there were no issues. Landon Cassill had brought out the caution early on in the race, but no major wrecks had taken place…until Lap 89.

When Jamie McMurray and Jimmie Johnson made contact, everything broke loose, leading to a huge pileup in Turn 1 and giving damage to 22 different cars.

Among those were drivers like Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Matt Kenseth, who had already won races this season, but the real damage was dealt to the guys mentioned earlier. McMurray and Kahne, along with others like Paul Menard, Ryan Newman and Danica Patrick, all suffered big hits and lost meaningful points.

Each of these drivers fell at least one position in the Chase standings, making the last nine races of the season much more critical. With Tony Stewart now in the Chase, there are 11 drivers with a win.

That means that, barring anyone else new winning, there would be a max of five spots available for drivers without a win.

Next: Solid Finishes

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