2012 began with David Ragan, last season's winner of the Coke Zero 400 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, behind the wheel at Daytona. An early wreck sidelined David Ragan and many others, pole winner Danica Patrick, J. J. Yeley, Mike Bliss, Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Brian Scott, Denny Hamlin, Sam Hornish Jr., David Ragan, Joe Nemechek and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ragan finished the race in the 26th position.