NASCAR Coke Zero 400 Provides a Great Time Despite Delays and Weather

While the 2014 running of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 got off to a rainy start, race fans eventually got to see some great action on the track at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday – plus an opportunity to see another side of Danica Patrick (watch video below).

Originally scheduled for a Saturday night race, to avoid the hot temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms this time of year in Florida, some late night rains forced NASCAR officials at around 9pm to postpone the race and reschedule it for Sunday morning at 11am.

For the thousands of race fans able to return on Sunday, it was worth the wait. But the temperatures and afternoon rains did indeed have an impact on the race and the results.

Just as the race was getting underway, with only 10 laps complete, and most of those run under caution due to some light rain, the red flag came out parking the racers for about a 30 minute delay.

Shortly after the Coke Zero 400 resumed, with drivers back up to full speed and a tightly grouped pack, the first of two crashes occurred as the cars came out of turn 4 right in front of the fans.

The most dramatic, and results impacting, crash occurred with just over half of the scheduled 160 laps complete when, near the front of the pack, the 16 car bumped the back of the 5 who fishtailed into the 22. A massive chain reaction of impacts followed leaving on 16 cars remaining among competitors in the lead lap.

Danica Partick narrowly avoided both crashes, which were ultimately blamed on the hot track and reduced handling of tires. Patrick had been running 8th at the time of the crash, having moved us over a dozen spots from the start, and with 112 laps complete and more rain moving in, officials called the race with Aric Almirola taking the win.

During the delays, several NASCAR promos and programming aired on the infield jumbotrons including several featuring Danica, who has become one of the primary faces of NASCAR.

Watch this Can-am Spyder Video as Danica saves Steven Tyler

It was fitting, as Daytona is synonymous with motorcycles, that Danica was endorsing the Can-am Spyder – a unique vehicle that offers the exhilaration of open air riding with confidence and control that comes from its unique Y frame three-wheeled platform design which incorporates 7 automotive technologies, including reverse power steering, and cruise control.

Several Can-am Spyders were spotted in the area around the speedway. According to the manufacturer, it’s combination of features makes it appealing to motorcycle riders, but also attracts new entrants into open air riding who were not comfortable purchasing a 2-wheeled motorcycle.

“I first tried the Can-Am Spyder in Long Beach, CA in a closed track and I had a blast. I couldn’t believe how much fun to ride it was,” said Danica Patrick who is an official ambassador the Can-Am Spyder,. “The Can-Am Spyder feels easy to drive. Its stability system gives you confidence. I simply had a blast!”

So impressed with the stability and handling of the vehicle, we would recommend to anyone that they visit a local Can-am Spyder dealer, or get more information by visiting them Facebook (facebook.com/CanAmSpyder), Twitter (twitter.com/officialspyder) or their web page at: http://can-am.brp.com/spyder/.