[View the story "Recap: Kahne seventh, Earnhardt eighth in Sprint Unlimited" on Storify ]Recap: Kahne seventh, Earnhardt eighth in Sprint Unlimited The 2013 Sprint Unlimited featured a return to the roots of the season-opening exhibition event. For starters, the race featured just previous winners and drivers who earned a 2012 pole position. NASCAR added a twist when fans were able to vote on several aspects, including the starting lineup. Storified by Hendrick Motorsports · Sat, Feb 16 2013 19:27:40
NEWS: Fans at @DISupdates vote to set tonight's #SprintUnlimited lineup by order driver earned #CoorsLight Pole in 2012 #NASCARNASCAR
As a result of the fan vote, the Hendrick Motorsports teammates were slated to start inside the top 16: Kasey Kahne in third; Jeff Gordon in seventh; Jimmie Johnson in 11th and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 16th. Kahne was moved up to the front row for the start of the Sprint Unlimited after pole sitter Carl Edwards and outside pole sitter Mark Martin were sent to the back of the pack with new cars.
Switch it to @NASCARONFOX Its back......I'm wipin' away a tear......I missed #NASCAR so much!!Deb Kelman
Fill in the Blank: __________ will win tonight's #NASCAR #SprintUnlimited at @DISupdatesNASCAR
For the first time in my 20-year career, I have no prediction for tonight's race. Too many unknowns. No idea. #nascarJeff Owens
Kasey Kahne. RT @NASCAR: Fill in the Blank: __________ will win tonight's #NASCAR #SprintUnlimited at @DISupdatesGuy Peters
“@NASCAR: Fill in the Blank: __________ will win tonight's #NASCAR #SprintUnlimited at @DISupdates”/ Jeff GordonCody Brown
#SprintUnlimited coverage by @NASCARonSPEED starts at 8pm. Can @JimmieJohnson grab a "W" in #Pacman? Get excited! http://pic.twitter.com/aPYUFiGjTeam Lowe's Racing
First pick of the season....I'm gonna pick none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr. #NASCARJames Kunkle
Who is ready for the official debut of the #Gen-6? #NASCAR #SprintUnlimitedDaryl Wolfe
By the way -- This is the Chevrolet SS, unveiled for fans on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, that will pace the upcoming 2013 Daytona 500.
The #ChevySS will pace the 2013 #Daytona500, marking the 10th time @Chevrolet has paced the race #NASCAR @DISupdates http://pic.twitter.com/EXQI1hrXTeam Chevy
Despite two preseason test sessions at Daytona, the Hendrick Motorsports teammates weren't entirely sure what to expect from the 2013 Chevy SS until the 75-lap Sprint Unlimited event began. Prior to the race, fans determined the race would run in three phases with lap increments of 30, 25 and 20.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: "You all ready to go? Hope you ain't real attached to this thing." #nascarNate Ryan
Green flag! #SPRINTUnlimited #NASCARHendrick Motorsports
First session of #SprintUnlimited will be 30 laps. #JeffGordon - "Let me know what kind of momentum is coming behind me." #NASCAR #Team24Jeff Gordon
The fans have spoken: Teams are required to come in for a four-tire pit stop after the first segment. #NASCARNASCAR
I voted for a 4 tire stop because I figured it was what the drivers would want/need. #NASCAR #SprintUnlimitedMama Shelley
That was a pretty slick move by #DaleJr inside-outside-inside. Great control in that new #NASCAR #Gen6 carNickKelly
Caution on Lap 16 - cars involved 55, 24, 48, 14, 9, 11, 56, 18, 78 in Turn 2.NASCAR Stats
Caution is out for a multiple car accident. @JimmieJohnson and @JeffGordonWeb involved. #SPRINTUnlimitedHendrick Motorsports
Stewart and Ambrose start wreck at 2013 Sprint Unlimitedtheofficialnascar
Bummer, JJ is out. "We got a good racecar. We stuck to our plan, everything was going fine. We got a good racecar for the 500." - #ChadKnausTeam Lowe's Racing
.@jimmiejohnson says despite Lap 15 wreck was encouraged by the speed in the @lowesracing ChevyK.C.
I keep telling myself I like plate racing but it's getting harder and harder...Jimmie Johnson
The @Drive2EndHunger @TeamChevy involved in big wreck. #JeffGordon - "Car's on fire. I'm going to have to get out." #NASCAR #Team24Jeff Gordon
Four tires and fuel for the @NationalGuard team under caution.Laura S.
.@kaseykahne coming in for four tires, fuel, air pressure and track bar adjustments. Currently P11Megan
.@kaseykahne 's team workin hard in the pits after his stop @DISupdates #SprintUnlimited #nascar http://pic.twitter.com/N2rJeo4CPragano
Current lap speeds are 198 mph. #nascarBob Pockrass
Results from the first segment: @KaseyKahne (5th), #DaleJr (12th), @JimmieJohnson (14th) & @JeffGordonWeb (17th). #NASCARHendrick Motorsports
Back to green flag racing. 25 laps in the second segment.Laura S.
around lap 50 #14 & #88 made contact, doing a little damage to left rear wheel well of #88, #88 fell back behind the pack #NASCARJayski
Dale Earnhardt Jr. saying his car acts like "It's quit running a bit." Steve Letarte: "It sounds a little sick on the way by." #nascarNate Ryan
At the end of the 2nd segment: @KaseyKahne (8th), #DaleJr (12th), @JimmieJohnson (14th) & @JeffGordonWeb (18th).Hendrick Motorsports
The 88 crew checks under the hood and for tire rub...everything looked good.Laura S.
Results for third element of the #SprintUnlimited fan vote: At the end of the second segment, no cars will be eliminated. #NASCARNASCAR
The 20-lap third segment ran without incident, and both Kahne and Earnhardt hovered inside the top 10, ultimately finishing seventh and eighth, respectively. Johnson was scored 14th, and Gordon was scored 17th.
Well the #SprintUnlimited is over now time for the big one the #Daytona500 #NASCARJr Nation
Results from the #SPRINTUnlimited: @KaseyKahne (7th), #DaleJr (9th), @JimmieJohnson (14th), @JeffGordonWeb (17th). #NASCARHendrick Motorsports
Official results #SPRINTUnlimited @KaseyKahne (7th), #DaleJr (8th), @JimmieJohnson (14th) & @JeffGordonWeb (17th).Hendrick Motorsports
