Daytona 500 2012 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis

The Daytona 500 is speeding towards its inevitable end, and it's definitely been an eventful race so far. 

There was some concern leading into the race that there would be more wrecks than usual, and it turns out that these concerns were well-founded. There was a wreck in the second lap of the race, and there's been a handful of cautions ever since.

The race is nearly finished.

UPDATE: Tuesday, 1:00 a.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

The race is over, and Matt Kenseth is your winner.

Here are your final standings:

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Greg Biffle
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Jeff Burton
6. Paul Menard
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Carl Edwards
9. Joey Logano
10. Mark Martin
11. Clint Bowyer
12. Martin Truex Jr.
13. Marcos Ambrose
14. Bobby Labonte
15. Dave Blaney
16. Tony Stewart
17. Kyle Busch
18. Terry Labonte
19. Tony Raines
20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
21. Ryan Newman
22. Landon Cassill
23. David Gilliland
24. Regan Smith
25. Casey Mears
26. David Reutmann
27. Elliott Sadler
28. Joe Nemechek
29. Kasey Kahne
30. Michael McDowell
31. Jamie McMurray
32. Brad Keselowski
33. Aric Almirola
34. AJ Allmendinger
35. Trevor Bayne
36. Juan Pablo Montoya
37. David Stremme
38. Danica Patrick
39. Kurt Busch
40. Jeff Gordon
41. Robby Gordon
42. Jimmie Johnson
43. David Ragan

The race finished moments after its 10th caution. Kenseth was leading at the time, and he was able to hold off Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the green-white-checker finish.

Kenseth won the Daytona 500 in 2009. 

Full Recap

UPDATE: Tuesday, 12:35 a.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

Here are the standings with 12 laps to go:

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Greg Biffle
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Paul Menard
7. Jeff Burton
8. Ryan Newman
9. Mark Martin
10. Martin Truex Jr.
11. Jamie McMurray
12. Joey Logano
13. Kyle Busch
14. Kasey Kahne
15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
16. Tony Stewart
17. David Reutimann
18. Brad Keselowski
19. Carl Edwards
20. Regan Smith
21. Aric Almirola
22. Dave Blaney
23. Tony Raines
24. Landon Cassill
25. David Gilliland
26. Bobby Labonte
27. Terry Labonte
28. Clint Bowyer
29. Marcos Ambrose
30. Casey Mears
31. Elliott Sadler
32. Joe Nemechek
33. Michael McDowell
34. AJ Allmendinger
35. Juan Pablo Montoya
36. David Stremme
37. Trevor Bayne
38. Danica Patrick
39. Kurt Busch
40. Jeff Gordon
41. Robby Gordon
42. Jimmie Johnson
43. David Ragan

UPDATE: Tuesday, 12:00 a.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

After a two-hour delay (give or take), the race is just about to get underway once again. There are 40 laps left to run.

UPDATE: Monday, 10:40 p.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

Here are the standings as of Lap 160 (h/t Yahoo! Sports):

1. Dave Blaney
2. Landon Cassill
3. Tony Raines
4. David Gilliland
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7. Casey Mears
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Greg Biffle
10. Jamie McMurray
11. Joey Logano
12. Jeff Burton
13. Mark Martin
14. Brad Keselowski
15. Paul Menard
16. Denny Hamlin
17. Carl Edwards
18. Martin Truex Jr.
19. Ryan Newman
20. Regan Smith
21. Tony Stewart
22. Aric Almirola
23. Kasey Kahne
24. Kyle Busch
25. David Reutimann
26. Terry Labonte
27. Marcos Ambrose
28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
29. Juan Pablo Montoya
30. Bobby Labonte
31. Clint Bowyer
32. David Stremme
33. Elliott Sadler
34. Joe Nemechek
35. Michael McDowell
36. AJ Allmendinger
37. Trevor Bayne
38. Danica Patrick
39. Jeff Gordon
40. Kurt Busch
41. Robby Gordon
42. Jimmie Johnson
43. David Ragan

UPDATE: Monday, 10:00 p.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

Juan Pablo Montoya just crashed his car into the back of a track dryer under a caution. Jet fuel spilled out onto the track and immediately caught fire.

Fire trucks are on the scene and all the flames seem to have been put out, but this could be a lengthy delay. There's no telling what kind of condition the track could be in after a jet fuel fire.

On the bright side, nobody was hurt.

Unreal.

UPDATE: Monday, 9:45 p.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

There are fewer than 50 laps left to go. Here's the standing as of Lap 153 (h/t Yahoo! Sports):

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Greg Biffle
4. Casey Mears
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Joey Logano
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Jamie McMurray
9. Jeff Burton
10. Denny Hamlin
11. Mark Martin
12. David Reutimann
13. Tony Stewart
14. Juan Pablo Montoya
15. Regan Smith
16. Martin Truex Jr.
17. Paul Menard
18. Kyle Busch
19. Marcos Ambrose
20. Aric Almirola
21. Terry Labonte
22. Landon Cassill
23. David Stremme
24. Dave Blaney
25. Ryan Newman
26. Kasey Kahne
27. Tony Raunes
28. Carl Edwards
29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
30. David Gilliland
31. Bobby Labonte
32. Clint Bowyer
33. Elliott Sadler
34. Joe Nemechek
35. Michael McDowell
36. AJ Allmendinger
37. Trevor Bayne
38. Danica Patrick
39. Jeff Gordon
40. Kurt Busch
41. Robby Gordon
42. Jimmie Johnson
43. David Ragan

We're getting down to it. Check back soon.

UPDATE: Monday, 9:15 p.m. EST by Zachary D. Rymer

Here are the standings as of Lap 120 (h/t Yahoo! Sports):

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Greg Biffle
4. Jeff Burton
5. Clint Bowyer
6. Aric Almirola
7. Kasey Kahne
8. Marcos Ambrose
9. Mark Martin
10. Regan Smith
11. Brad Keselowski
12. Tony Stewart
13. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
14. David Reutimann
15. Matt Kenseth
16. Casey Mears
17. Bobby Labonte
18. Joey Logano
19. Dave Blaney
20. Kyle Busch
21. Carl Edwards
22. David Stremme
23. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
24. Landon Cassill
25. David Gilliland
26. Kevin Harvick
27. Paul Menard
28. Jamie McMurray
29. Juan Pablo Montoya
30. Terry Labonte
31. Tony Rainers
32. Ryan Newman
33. Elliott Sadler
34. Joe Nemechek
35. Michael McDowell
36. AJ Allmendinger
37. Trevor Bayne
38. Jeff Gordon
39. Danica Patrick
40. Kurt Busch
41. Robby Gordon
42. Jimmie Johnson
43. David Ragan

It's worth noting that both Danica Patrick and Jimmie Johnson were involved in the early wreck, and both of their cars needed lots of work before they were able to return to the track.

Check back in just a little while for another update.

The Field 

1. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford: Nine winners of Dayton 500 have come from the pole position. 

2. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford: Looking strong leading up to big race. 

3. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet: Has won 17 times at Daytona, but never won the 500.

4. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford: 2009 winner hoping to get back on top. 

5. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet: Needs solid performance to boost image and reputation as a driver.

6. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet: Quietly thriving this week, will need to be loud once engines start.

7. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford: Potential dark horse.

8. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet: Win would be great start for five-time NASCAR champ, as he hopes to re-claim his spot as No. 1 driver. 

9. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet: Needs Daytona 500 win to help strengthen overall career.

10. (33) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet: Superb week leading up to big race.

11. (98) Michael McDowell, Ford: Proving he's a great racer by fighting back after wreck to qualify.

12. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota: Contract year for the young rising star, a victory would earn him a ton of money. 

13. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet: 2007 champ ready to win again. 

14. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota: Bound to be memorable for something epic in Daytona 500.

15. (22) A.J. Allmendinger, Dodge: Solid showing will greatly help his young career. 

16. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet: Three time Dayton 500 champ looking to further solidify his stats as one of the greats. 

17. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge: Thankful to just be here. 

18. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet: 2008 winner has to avoid big wreck to head to victory lane. 

19. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet: 2010 champ aiming to get back on top. 

20. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet: Kick starts new ride with Hendrick Motorsports, would be great to get a victory for him and his new team. 

21. (6) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford: Roush Fenway newcomer with potential to surprise win. Just like last year with Trevor Bayne. 

22. (55) Mark Martin, Toyota: Experienced veteran looking for first Daytona 500 win.

23. (2) Brad Keslowski, Dodge: Can make a name for himself with shocking victory. 

24. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet: See above.

25. (34) David Ragan, Ford: See above.

26. (56) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota: Does he have NAPA know how on his side? 

27. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford: Thankful to be here.

28. (51) Kurt Busch Chevrolet: Starting with new team this season, needs a great opening performance. 

29. (10) Danica Patrick Chevrolet: First full season in NASCAR, needs to live up to the hype. 

30. (15) Clint Bowyer, Toyota: Win one for car owner Michael Waltrip.

31. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota: Needs a solid showing after rough 2011.

32. (47) Bobby Labonte, Toyota: Aiming to be the first Labonte to win the Daytona 500.

33. (38) David Gilliland, Ford: Took third a year ago and was the fastest in the final practice. All signs pointing to a good day. 

34. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota: Looking for marquee victory at Daytona 500.

35. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet: Has to be successful in big race.

36. (13) Casey Mears, Ford: Thankful to be here.

37. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet: Must avoid big wreck.

38. (93) David Reutimann, Toyota: Looking for that elite NASCAR victory.

39. (83) Landon Cassill, Toyota: Young rising star could make name for himself with win.

40. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford: 2011 Daytona 500 champ hoping to steal the show once again and defend his title.

41. (26) Tony Raines, Ford: Such an appropriate name for this weekend's weather. 

42. (30) David Stremme, Toyota: Thankful to be here. 

43. (32) Terry Labonte, Ford: Aiming to be the first Labonte to win the Daytona 500.

Monday's weather report in Daytona calls for an 80 percent chance of rain, which is why the folks at Daytona 500 made the quick call to forget about the noon start. 

It would have been nice to get the race started as soon as possible, but the track conditions have to be just right in order to race.

It's expected to be a great one, but it sure is difficult to forecast who will win after rain has pounded the track for so long, so anything can happen.