Written by Adrian Beecher
Daytona, FL – Jimmie Johnson made his move on lap on lap 57 on the backstretch as he looked to make a pass of Paul Menard, with weather looming. Menard tried to block, but Johnson clipped him and Menard went spinning and collected 15 of the 20 cars in the field. As the red flag flew for the 3rd time, the race was marked final on lap 59 due to inclement weather in the area, earning the win for Jimmie Johnson.
Here’s how it all went down at the 2019 Advanced Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway.
Paul Menard in the No. 21 Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center Ford started on the pole to start the Clash. However, it was 2nd place starter, Kyle Busch in the No. 18 M&M ‘s Chocolate Bar Toyota leading the first lap. Menard would regain the lead on lap two and lead a single file field around the track for 5 laps.
Then after 7 laps were completed, rain found its way onto the track, bringing out the caution flag. The red flag would fly soon after as the cars were brought down pit road and told to power down.
After a 21 minute 31 second delay, the yellow flag flew as the cars got back out on the track with Menard still out in the front of the pack. The Green flag flew on lap 12. Menard would remain the leader until lap 25, where 15 of the 20 cars would elect to take to pit road.
Austin Dillon in the No. 3 DOW Chevrolet took over the lead, with Alex Bowman in the no. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet in the 2nd position. On lap 28, Dillon made his way to pit road with Aric Almirola of the no. 10 Smithfield Foods Ford taking over the lead. However, a speeding penalty for Almirola would send him back down pit road. This put Menard back in the lead as the field got back to green flag racing on lap 32.
Then 11 laps later, with only 32 to go, the red flag would fly again due to rain on the track. After an 8 minute and 5-second delay this time, the yellow flag flew as the cars went back out on the track, looking to finish the Clash under green.
On lap 47 the green flag flew with Menard still out in front. Then, 10 laps later, with Menard still in the lead, Jimmie Johnson made his move and ended up clipping the No. 21 of Menard, sending him for a ride, collecting 15 of the 20 cars on the track.
Rain would bring out the red flag for the third time and NASCAR would elect to call the race official.
It put Johnson back into victory lane, but only fueling his fire to get back there during a points race.
“You know, points races are different, but we’ll take this. You know, we still need a points race win to say we’ve been back to Victory Lane.” said Johnson, “It’s a great first step today to get first reps with Kevin, a lot of new members on the team, to bring Ally into the sport with a victory and qualifying third. Just a really big day for the 48 team, and just building the confidence that we’re going to need to carry into the season.”
The last time that Johnson found victory lane in a Cup Series points race was back on June 3rd of 2017 in Dover.
Full results from Daytona at the Advanced Auto Parts Clash
| POS | DRIVER | MFG | START | LAPS | LED | SPEED | TIME | BEHIND |
| 1 | #48 Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | 13 | 59 | 4 | 65.85 | 136.674 | Leader |
| 2 | #1 Kurt Busch | Chevrolet | 19 | 59 | 0 | 65.728 | 136.927 | 0.885 |
| 3 | #22 Joey Logano | Ford | 7 | 59 | 0 | 65.461 | 137.487 | 2.149 |
| 4 | #12 Ryan Blaney | Ford | 8 | 59 | 0 | 65.119 | 138.208 | 3.722 |
| 5 | #88 Alex Bowman | Chevrolet | 5 | 59 | 0 | 64.866 | 138.748 | 6.139 |
| 6 | #9 Chase Elliott | Chevrolet | 16 | 59 | 0 | 68.783 | 130.846 | 8.22 |
| 7 | #3 Austin Dillon | Chevrolet | 9 | 59 | 3 | 64.032 | 140.555 | 8.468 |
| 8 | #10 Aric Almirola | Ford | 18 | 59 | 0 | 69.541 | 129.42 | 10.87 |
| 9 | #6 Ryan Newman | Ford | 4 | 59 | 0 | 39.35 | 228.718 | 0 |
| 10 | #41 Daniel Suarez | Ford | 10 | 59 | 0 | 101.682 | 88.511 | 78.825 |
| 11 | #40 Jamie McMurray | Chevrolet | 11 | 58 | 0 | 35.361 | 254.515 | 1 lap |
| 12 | #4 Kevin Harvick | Ford | 6 | 58 | 0 | 91.605 | 98.248 | 1 lap |
| 13 | #21 Paul Menard | Ford | 1 | 56 | 52 | 196.344 | 45.838 | 3 laps |
| 14 | #18 Kyle Busch | Toyota | 2 | 56 | 1 | 196.369 | 45.832 | 3 laps |
| 15 | #19 Martin Truex Jr | Toyota | 12 | 56 | 0 | 196.314 | 45.845 | 3 laps |
| 16 | #14 Clint Bowyer | Ford | 15 | 56 | 0 | 196.374 | 45.831 | 3 laps |
| 17 | #11 Denny Hamlin | Toyota | 17 | 56 | 0 | 196.327 | 45.842 | 3 laps |
| 18 | #2 Brad Keselowski | Ford | 3 | 56 | 0 | 196.275 | 45.854 | 3 laps |
| 19 | #42 Kyle Larson | Chevrolet | 14 | 56 | 0 | 196.696 | 45.756 | 3 laps |
| 20 | #20 Erik Jones | Toyota | 20 | 56 | 0 | 198.007 | 45.453 | 3 laps |
