Carl Edwards starts in the lead. Lap 3, Keselowski has to head to the pits for a radiator problem. Lap 6 brings the first yellow flag as Hamlin, who was having a great week in Daytona, crashes along with Kahne. Both teams are able to get their cars back in the race. Lap 21, Montoya makes an overly aggressive move to try and move up, and spins himself out, bringing out a yellow. During the confusion, B. Labonte, who had dropped some in the field, also made an aggressive move on Ambrose. The entire field pits during the yellow. After the shuffling during the pit stops, Edwards holds on to his lead.
Lap 37 finally yields a new leader as Jimmie Johnson makes a move to take over the top spot. His lead was short, as on lap 38, Danica Patrick takes the lead. On lap 42, Edwards makes an overly reckless move to pass Johnson, spinning him out and bringing out a yellow. In five laps, he went from first to last. The field is getting a little testy, as drivers are trying dangerous moves, including Kligerman and Ambrose. Will cooler heads prevail?
On lap 56, Edwards retakes the lead. He manages to hold on to it after a round of green flag pit stops. Lap 76 gives a new leader in the form of Kevin Harvick. Lap 81 has our first casualty, as Yeley, who was running a great race in 6
th place, blew his engine. This triggered a flurry of activity, as on the next lap Kenseth took the lead, only to lose it to Kyle Busch in lap 84. The action continued, as Kenseth retook the top spot in lap 90, only to lose it to Gordon, who has been steadily moving up the field, in lap 92.
Another round of green flag pits stops gives us a new leader in Biffle on lap 105. Nothing interesting happens until lap 126, when Tony Stewart makes his first appearance in front. Danica Patrick takes back the lead on lap 128.
On lap 138, The Big One happens. Patrick, at the front of the pack, loses control, and cars start piling up. When it is all said and done, Patrick, Waltrip, Kenseth, Larson, Kahne, Edwards, Kligerman, Scott, Johnson, Kurt Busch, Amirola, Newman, Vickers, Logano, Bowman, Keselowski, and Whitt are all involved. Of these drivers, Patrick, Waltrip, Scott, Kurt Busch, Almirola, Logano, Keselowski, and Whitt are unable to continue. After everything is sorted out, our new leader is Justin Allgaier.
The field pits under yellow flag. Clint Bowyer wins the race off of pit row to take the lead. As the race continues, everyone is pushing for the lead. Gordon starts it off by taking over on lap 161. Menard takes his turn on lap 162. Reutimann has dreams of making this a career changing day, and takes the lead on lap 163. Earnhardt Jr. has a tire go down, and goes to the pits. Lap 168 sees Blaney’s run end, as he goes to the garage. Laps 180-184 see three different leaders; Hamlin, Bowyer, and finally Harvick takes over as the final pit stops happen.
As the crews frantically try to win the pit race, Harvick is able to come out still holding a close lead. There should be no more need to pit the rest of the race. Despite some furious efforts, Harvick holds on for the victory.
Top 10 – Harvick, Gordon, Martin Truex Jr., Hamlin, Bowyer, Reutimann, Stenhouse Jr., Kenseth, Sorenson, Newman
DNF – Yeley, Whitt, Keselowski, Logano, Almirola, Kurt Busch, Scott, Waltrip, Patrick, Blaney
Most laps lead – Carl Edwards