DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Bobby Gerhart's record-setting sixth victory at Daytona International Speedway was overshadowed by the successful stock car debut of IndyCar star Danica Patrick, who finished sixth Saturday in the crash-filled ARCA race.
Patrick spent much of the race among the top 10 in her widely anticipated stock car racing debut, but she bumped fenders with Nelson Piquet Jr. and spun out through the infield grass on lap 54, costing her any hopes of a victory.
But she passed several cars in the closing laps of the ARCA season opener, and got as high as fifth with three laps left. But she didn't have enough to catch Gerhart, who has won the ARCA season opener six of the last 12 years. The win snapped a two-year losing streak at Daytona.
"As a little kid, I dreamed of having an opportunity to come here and race," Gerhart said. "When that happens, naturally comes the passion to come out and win, but I couldn't imagine doing it this many times. I've got to tell you, though, I hate the number six. We've got to swing for seven."
Mark Thompson was second, followed by John Wes Townley, James Buescher and Patrick Sheltra.
It was still an impressive start for Patrick, who will race a partial schedule in NASCAR's second-tier racing series for JR Motorsports. She has not yet decided if she will make her NASCAR debut next week in the Nationwide opener at Daytona, and her experience Saturday was going to play a huge factor.
She had not made a decision after the race, but her car owners seemed pleased. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sprinted from the NASCAR drivers meeting to congratulate her, while Rick Hendrick was quick to praise her over the in-car radio.
"You drove the wheels off that thing, girl," Hendrick told her. "We are proud of you."
Patrick replied, "Thank you very much."
