Medlin Survives Daytona Chaos to Open YesterYear Cup Season in Victory Lane

Daytona Beach, FL — Andrew Medlin survived a bruising, unpredictable season opener at the old configuration of Daytona International Speedway to capture victory in Round 1 of the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series. The night marked a full-throated return to the 2004 Gen 4 Cup car, a machine that rewards rhythm and restraint far more than reckless bravery, and the opening chapter of a revamped playoff system designed to reward consistency across the long haul.

A stout 50-car field rolled onto the grid, giving the opener the atmosphere of a superspeedway classic from another era. Kevin Strandberg secured the pole and paced the field to green, but it did not take long for drivers to realize that this was not modern Daytona. The legacy surface was slick and unsettled, the bumps sharp enough to rattle confidence, and the draft far less forgiving. If a driver slipped more than a second off the back of a line, the air would not simply pull them forward again. Momentum was currency, and it could vanish in a heartbeat.

The first caution arrived on lap five when John Hastings spun, executing a remarkable save to keep the car off the wall and salvage his night. The early warning shot did little to calm the field. By lap 19, Bill Martin was forced onto the apron, triggering an accordion effect that stacked cars tightly together and brought out another yellow. Drivers spoke afterward about how edgy the cars felt in traffic, especially when turbulent air and the uneven surface combined to make the rear ends dance down the straightaways.

Pit strategy quickly became a defining storyline. With four extra sets of tires available this season, teams faced an immediate philosophical split. Some opted for two tires or even fuel-only stops to maintain track position, knowing how difficult it would be to carve back through 49 competitors. Others played the longer game, banking on fresh rubber during extended green-flag stretches. Around lap 22, a major incident erupted when contact between Lloyd Moore and Larry Corey sent multiple cars sliding through the infield grass, scattering contenders and forcing several early trips behind the wall.

As the race settled into longer runs, the attrition quietly mounted. Dwayne McArthur, Eric Essary, and Tom Ogle each spent time at or near the front, carefully measuring their aggression. The handling balance shifted noticeably as the sun dipped lower and the track temperature fell, tightening some cars while freeing up others. Rick Nitz and Brian Lynch were among those caught out by the changing conditions, either in incidents or in battles with machines that refused to cooperate. Six caution flags punctuated the night, and every restart felt like lighting a match in a room filled with fuel vapor.

When the final green-flag run began, the lead pack had been whittled down to a hardened group of survivors. Medlin positioned himself at the front and drove with calculated precision, refusing to overextend his advantage or leave the bottom lane vulnerable. Behind him, Christian Loschen stalked patiently, waiting for the moment when the air might shift in his favor. Sean Foltz lurked just behind, ready to supply the push that could change everything.

On the white-flag lap, Loschen dove to the inside entering turn three, building what momentum he could and hoping Foltz could lock onto his bumper. The run developed, but not quite enough. Medlin held steady through the banking, kept the throttle planted just long enough, and exited turn four with the faintest but most important edge. He crossed the line half a car length ahead, sealing a victory earned through patience, positioning, and survival.

The win places Medlin at the top of the standings as the series leaves the high banks behind and turns toward the abrasive, punishing surface of Rockingham Speedway. If Daytona demanded finesse in the draft, Rockingham will demand grit in the corners. The YesterYear Racing Cup Series is officially underway, and if the opener proved anything, it is that 2004-style stock car racing still has teeth.