Joey Logano gets first career Daytona 500 win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tony Stewart‘s Daytona 500 drought continues.
Stewart was involved in a five-car accident early in the season opener Sunday, sustaining enough damage to his No. 14 Chevrolet that it ended his chances of winning the “Great American Race.” He fell behind by more than 20 laps and ended up in the garage for significant repairs.
Stewart is now winless in 17 tries in NASCAR’S premier event.
Stewart had hoped to end the losing streak this season, which follows two tumultuous seasons, but he seemingly started the wreck on Lap 41. Stewart moved up the track, got loose and triggered the minor mess.
Stewart’s car turned right and slammed into the outside wall, damaging his right-front tire and steering.
Stewart took the blame for the accident.
“One-hundred percent my fault,” he said over his team radio after the accident.
Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Blaney also were involved.
Stewart parked his car with about 65 laps remaining, and he could finish no better than 42nd.
“When it got three-wide that particular lap, it got away from me, and I got out of the gas and couldn’t even get the front end caught up when I got out of the gas,” Stewart said. “I’m not sure if Ryan [Blaney] wasn’t there, I still was going to hit the fence.”
