By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
When apparent race winner Justin Haley was black-flagged for passing below the yellow line, the race win Friday at Daytona International Speedway was down to second and third place: Kyle Larson and Elliott Sadler.
Sadler, who lost the previous XFINITY Series race at Daytona in February by a record 0.0004 seconds, ran side-by-side with Larson’s No. 42 across the checkered flag.
And again… Sadler lost by a nose.
This time, it was 0.005 seconds between the JR Motorsports veteran and Daytona Victory Circle. After leading for 17 laps in the wild overtime event, the point leader had to settle for his third consecutive runner-up finish at Daytona.
“This one hurts,” Sadler said. “I don’t know how many more restrictor plate races I have in my career. To lose the one like we did in February, so close, and to feel like we’re in the right place again.”
Indeed, it seemed like the best position to bee coming off Turn 4 for the win. Sadler ran the inside line with Ryan Blaney behind and was focusing on Larson’s moves as they raced toward the tri-oval.
It was here, however, where Sadler and spotter made an error.
“We were really paying attention to Kyle trying to figure out what we were doing off Turn 4,” he said. “He was running into my door a lot. I was trying to leave myself room to get away from him.
“Just a breakdown of communication that the No. 24 [Haley] was coming on the bottom. I could’ve definitely made a block.”
Standing winless in 2018, Sadler’s third second-place run of the year up’s the frustration over when that win will come for the No. 1 team.
“It hurts to lose two races at Daytona that close,” he said. “That’s three or four seconds in a row for me. It’s been a tough day for me, a lot of stuff going on at home. Winning a race here would’ve made a big difference.”
Just no words to express how bad I feel …. to be so close and not pull it off for my @JRMotorsports team hurts… they deserved to be in victory lane.. such a fast car
— Elliott Sadler (@Elliott_Sadler) July 7, 2018
