DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Replacement drivers Regan Smith and Matt Crafton were in the spotlight and out of contention in the Daytona 500.
Smith, filling in for suspended Kurt Busch of Stewart-Haas Racing, finished 16th. Crafton, a last-minute sub for injured Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing, crossed the finish line less than 2 seconds later in 19th.
It was about what should have been expected from guys who got little or no practice time.
Smith stepped into the No. 41 Chevrolet on Saturday, a day after NASCAR suspended Kurt Busch indefinitely. A Delaware judge said the 2004 champion almost surely choked and beat his former girlfriend at Dover International Speedway last fall.
Crafton, a two-time Truck Series champion, got no seat time in the No. 18 Toyota. Kyle was ruled out after breaking his right leg and left foot in a harrowing crash Saturday in the Xfinity Series season opener.
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