Jimmie Johnson Wins Daytona 500
Before an estimated crowd of 175,000, Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500, posting his 19th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victory and his first at Daytona.
The No. 48 Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet driver led 24 of 203 laps after starting ninth. For his valiant effort, he will take home over a $1.5 million paycheck!
Johnson ran the race without crew chief Chad Knaus - who was asked to leave Daytona International Speedway following a rules infraction during a post-qualifying inspection.
Johnson looked at the tough circumstances, and was very pleased that the team was able to come together and win,
"If you think about what we overcame, and the pressure that's on any team, in any sport, if they were faced with something like this, this is a huge, huge statement, something that I'm very proud of."Johnson continued,
"We play within a set of rules. Chad broke the rules. He's admitted that. He's in Charlotte watching the race today. He missed the event. We're serving our penalty. We're doing everything we can do. We stepped up today and won the biggest race in our sport, and it is something that I am so proud of. "
Casey Mears nearly added a Daytona 500 win to his January Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car victory. The No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge driver will have to accept second, and the nearly $1.1 million payday to help ease his pain.
Had Mears won, Chip Ganassi was also talking of running Mears at this year's Indianapolis 500.The No. 12 Alltel Dodge of Ryan Newman and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch had the Penske cars working like a team.
Unfortunately, Busch was victimized and would finish 38th, but Newman would soldier on and carry home a third-place finish for the team.Elliott Sadler started third in his M&M's car, and ended up giving Ford their best finish of the day.
He finished fourth.Wow!
The No. 20 with Tony Stewart at the wheel was clearly the best car on the track. Unfortunately, fate, timing, and bad luck turned his first Daytona 500 win into a top five finish. Three times Stewart fought his way back from the tail-end of the field, in a truely inspired drive.
The Home Depot Chevrolet team still is red hot, and has kept Stewart out front. His efforts today clearly make him an early favorite to repeat as NASCAR Nextel Cup champion.Race one of 36 is complete. Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR drivers points with 185. Next up... California Speedway.
The No. 48 Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet driver led 24 of 203 laps after starting ninth. For his valiant effort, he will take home over a $1.5 million paycheck!
Johnson ran the race without crew chief Chad Knaus - who was asked to leave Daytona International Speedway following a rules infraction during a post-qualifying inspection.
Johnson looked at the tough circumstances, and was very pleased that the team was able to come together and win,
"If you think about what we overcame, and the pressure that's on any team, in any sport, if they were faced with something like this, this is a huge, huge statement, something that I'm very proud of."Johnson continued,
"We play within a set of rules. Chad broke the rules. He's admitted that. He's in Charlotte watching the race today. He missed the event. We're serving our penalty. We're doing everything we can do. We stepped up today and won the biggest race in our sport, and it is something that I am so proud of. "
Casey Mears nearly added a Daytona 500 win to his January Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car victory. The No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge driver will have to accept second, and the nearly $1.1 million payday to help ease his pain.
Had Mears won, Chip Ganassi was also talking of running Mears at this year's Indianapolis 500.The No. 12 Alltel Dodge of Ryan Newman and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch had the Penske cars working like a team.
Unfortunately, Busch was victimized and would finish 38th, but Newman would soldier on and carry home a third-place finish for the team.Elliott Sadler started third in his M&M's car, and ended up giving Ford their best finish of the day.
He finished fourth.Wow!
The No. 20 with Tony Stewart at the wheel was clearly the best car on the track. Unfortunately, fate, timing, and bad luck turned his first Daytona 500 win into a top five finish. Three times Stewart fought his way back from the tail-end of the field, in a truely inspired drive.
The Home Depot Chevrolet team still is red hot, and has kept Stewart out front. His efforts today clearly make him an early favorite to repeat as NASCAR Nextel Cup champion.Race one of 36 is complete. Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR drivers points with 185. Next up... California Speedway.
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