Kenseth nudges way to IROC victory

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Even Matt Kenseth got in on the aggressive-driving act on his way to victory Friday in the IROC race at Daytona International Speedway.

After coming from the back of the pack to dominate most of the race, Kenseth – known for his low-key style – had to nudge Martin Truex Jr. out of the way on the final lap, then urge Frank Kimmel to push him to victory.

But compared to other instances of rough driving in the race, Kenseth’s move was fairly tame.

“They do hit each other pretty hard,” Kenseth said. “It was just hard to pass and to get anybody a big run outside you had to hit them pretty hard to give them a shot to give them some momentum.”

It was Kenseth’s third career victory in the International Race of Champions. Sam Hornish Jr. finished second, just ahead of Kimmel.

Aggressive bump drafting, an issue that has dominated discussion this year, figured prominently in the race.

Kimmel played a prominent role in an ugly crash that sent Steve Kinser’s car flipping in the air with three laps to go. Kimmel twice ran into the back of Kinser in Turns 3 and 4, causing Kinser to flip over Tony Stewart’s hood.

Yeley wins Busch pole

J.J. Yeley won the first pole of his NASCAR career when he took the top spot for the Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Yeley, driving a Chevrolet fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing, turned a lap at 183.084 mph to qualify first for today’s Hershey’s Kissable 300. He was the only driver to eclipse 183 mph, besting Aaron Fike and Clint Bowyer.

It gave Yeley his first turn in the spotlight this Speedweeks, but he has a way to go before he rivals teammate Denny Hamlin’s feats. Hamlin wowed NASCAR last week by besting the Nextel Cup veterans in winning the Budweiser Shootout exhibition race.

Martin trucks to victory

Mark Martin, no fan of the track, won the season-opening Craftsman Truck series race at Daytona International Speedway, picking up his fourth victory at the famed track in 111 races.