Coke Zero 400 2012 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis

NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series returns this Saturday when the world's best race-car drivers invade Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400. It should come as no surprise that Matt Kenseth took the pole.

Kenseth has had his fair share of success at Daytona, winning the flagship race there two times, including earlier this February. He also happens to be leading the Sprint Cup standings with an 11-point lead over Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who's also had himself one heck of a year.

However, Earnhardt Jr. and Kenseth are far from the only drivers in contention for the Cup who will be racing at Daytona on Saturday in one of NASCAR's more scintillating events. 

Last year's winner was David Ragan, and he'll have a hard time defending his title in the 27th spot to start off.

When: Saturday, July 7, 6:30 p.m. ET

Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL.

Watch: TNT

Final Results by Ian Hanford

Place	Driver
1	Tony Stewart
2	Jeff Burton
3	Matt Kenseth
4	Joey Logano
5	Ryan Newman
6	Brad Keselowski
7	Carl Edwards
8	Michael Waltrip
9	Bobby Labonte
10	David Reutimann

*For full final leaderboard, click here.

The Coke Zero 400 has reached its conclusion after a race riddled with excitement. There were 15 lead changes, 12 leaders and 23 laps run under caution.

With all said and done Tony Stewart claimed the victory. He earned 47 points, while second-place finisher earned 42 points toward his Spring Cup standing.

With the victory Stewart will improve on his eighth-place position on the overall Sprint Cup standings. He will still trail Grag Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth without a doubt. 

Stewart made the race exciting until the very end. He passed a pack of cars on the final straightaway of the final lap in order to claim victory.That was after Kenseth led 78 of the race's first 120 laps.

The victory is Stewart's 47th career Sprint Cup win and his fourth straight Daytona victory.

Starting Lineup for the Coke Zero 400

1. Matt Kenseth, Ford

2. Ryan Newman, Chevrolet

3. Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet

4. Greg Biffle, Ford

5. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet

6. Bill Elliott, Chevrolet

7. Casey Mears, Ford

8. A.J. Allmendinger, Dodge

9. Brad Keselowski, Dodge

10. Marcos Ambrose, Ford

11. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet

12. Carl Edwards, Ford

13. Paul Menard, Chevrolet

14. Juan Montoya, Chevrolet

15. Trevor Bayne, Ford

16. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet

17. Aric Almirola, Ford

18. Martin Truex Jr., Toyota

19. Joey Logano, Toyota

20. Jeff Burton, Chevrolet

21. Mike Bliss, Ford

22. Kyle Busch, Toyota

23. Denny Hamlin, Toyota

24. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet

25. Regan Smith, Chevrolet

26. David Stremme, Toyota

27. David Ragan, Ford

28. Michael Waltrip, Toyota

29. Clint Bowyer, Toyota

30. Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet

31. Josh Wise, Ford

32. David Gilliland, Ford

33. Dave Blaney, Chevrolet

Terry Labonte, Ford

35. Kurt Busch, Chevrolet

36. Joe Nemechek, Toyota

37. Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet

38. Landon Cassill, Toyota

39. David Reutimann, Chevrolet

40. Travis Kvapil, Toyota

41. Bobby Labonte, Toyota

42. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet

43. J.J. Yeley, Toyota