Kenseth finishes 16th in first Nationwide race, Patrick 36th

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DAYTONA, Fla. - Matt Kenseth of Cambridge took 16th yesterday in the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ season debut at Daytona. Beloit-born Danica Patrick finished 36th, after she had engine trouble and completed only 31-of-the-120 laps.

Tony Stewart won the race, after a major crash on the final lap that injured at 28 people in the grandstands. Regan Smith’s car was hit from behind on the outside wall and then careened into several other cars. Fourteen of the injured were taken to area hospitals, while the rest were treated at the track’s medical center.

NASCAR’s top series’ makes its 2013 debut today with one of the season’s highlights, the Daytona-500. Kenseth is the defending champion, and he’ll start 12th. Paul Menard of Eau Claire starts 17th. Travis Kvapil of Janesville takes up the rear in the 43rd spot.

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