Stewart Wins First Race of NASCAR Nationwide Series

Daytona Beach, Fla. – In the NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener, Tony Stewart fended off a last-ditch effort by teammate Kyle Busch to win the Camping World 300 at Daytona International National Speedway on Saturday.

Stewart crossed the finish line just .259 seconds ahead of Busch, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. .412 seconds behind. The Joe Gibbs Racing teammates dictated the race, with Busch leading 47 laps at the 2.5-mile super speedway, and Stewart 46.

Brian Vickers took fourth, followed by Matt Kenseth, Bryan Clauson, Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan and defending series champion Carl Edwards.

The opening event of the 35-race series generated more than 100,000 in attendance, and introduced Nationwide Insurance to millions of NASCAR fans who follow NASCAR's second most popular series. Broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN and ABC, the series is stronger than ever, named the third highest-rated regular-season sport on cable television.

Nationwide's chief marketing officer, Jim Lyski, met with drivers and crew chiefs in meetings prior to the race. All, he said, were gracious and wished Nationwide success in its sponsorship. “They want us to get off to the best possible start, and we want to live up to their expectations," Lyski told the radio interviewer.

The next race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series takes place Feb. 23 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Check out the complete NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule now.