Kenseth Is a Winner

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth won the opening round of the 30th annual International Race of Champions after a frightening multi-car wreck Friday that sent Steve Kinser airborne at Daytona International Speedway.

Kinser, the World of Outlaws legend driving in his seventh IROC series, flipped upside-down and slid several hundred yards on his roof with three laps left in the 40-lap race.

After being cut out of his car, Kinser, 51, was treated for minor injuries and released. None of the other drivers in the accident were hurt.

When the race resumed, Kenseth -- who started in the back row -- held off a challenge from Sam Hornish Jr. of the Indy Racing League and NASCAR’s Martin Truex Jr.

The IROC series features a dozen drivers from different forms of racing who compete in identically prepared cars in four races on four different tracks.

The next race is April 7 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Defending IROC champion Mark Martin of NASCAR finished last after an earlier accident.

But then Martin salvaged his night by winning the opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck event over Todd Bodine and Ted Musgrave, the defending series champion.

-- Jim Peltz