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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Keeping Pace

Hayley captures big Daytona victory on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series

Cameron Haley celebrates his K&N Pro Series victory. (Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR) (Todd Warshaw / Nascar)
Cameron Haley celebrates his K&N Pro Series victory. (Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR) (Todd Warshaw / Nascar)

Cameron Hayley, who has raced across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada before joining NASCAR's K&N Pro Series full-time in 2012, won his biggest main event of his young career Tuesday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Courtesy: NASCAR Media Relations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Cameron Hayley came from behind during a green-white-checkered finish to win the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach NASCAR K&N Pro Series race Tuesday night at Daytona International Speedway.

It was only fitting that the third and final race of the two-day event concluded with cars trading paint, given that the first two races ended with last-lap contact and late lead changes.

Hayley took advantage when the race leaders tangled in Turn 2 to drive to the victory.

Fifteen-year-old Gray Gaulding finished second in the Krispy Kreme Toyota, while Puerto Rican Bryan Ortiz took the third spot in the Putinka Vodka Toyota.

“It was a tough race overall,” said Hayley, who hails from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “When I was sitting there on that last restart, I was thinking they were going to wreck in front of me. There’s going to be something happening in front of me. My crew chief and my spotter coming over the radio telling me to be patient and when you see a hole - go.”

Tuesday’s nightcap, the feature of the UNOH Battle At The Beach, showcased 28 drivers from 11 different U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Other notables included Ben Kennedy, son of International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy, who finished fifth. Kennedy is the first France family member to race at Daytona International Speedway in a stock car.

“It was a great experience to run at DIS, really cool what the track has put together for tonight,” Kennedy said. “Unfortunately we got knocked around and messed up our rear end for the rest of the night. Really should’ve been in Victory Lane tonight but proud of the guys. We’ll go on to Bristol and set our sights on the championship.”



Keeping Pace

Motorsports correspondent Doug Pace keeps up with motorsports news and notes from around the region.