General Discussion » Toyota recall includes 3.8 million cars sold in the USA
November 2, 2009 General Motors is recalling all models because of a problem with plastic supply and return ports on the modular reservoir assembly. The ...
Golden moment: Newman wins 50th Daytona 500
By Mike Hembree - Associate Editor
Monday, February 18, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Ryan Newman, driver of the #12 Alltel Dodge, makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Rusty Jarrett
Getty Images for NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Flyin’ Ryan is flying again.
Ryan Newman, mired in a frustrating winless streak, burst out in the biggest of ways Sunday, scoring a tense victory in the 50th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway
Newman and Penske Racing teammate Kurt Busch swept into first and second past leader Tony Stewart along the backstretch in the closing moments, and Newman stayed in front the rest of the way to win NASCAR’s marquee race. The win was Newman’s first in more than two years and put his car owner, long-time motorsports kingpin Roger Penske, in Daytona 500 victory lane for the first time.
“Without Kurt there was no way possible,” Newman said. “He could have made it three-wide, and he was the best teammate ever.”
Busch, who could have won under different circumstances, said he was pleased with a one-two Penske finish.
“It was very emotional pushing Ryan Newman across the line,” he said.
Stewart was the day’s big loser. He led as the field took the white flag but fell victim to the Penske draft. He dropped low on the backstretch in front of his teammate, Kyle Busch (Kurt’s brother), looking to create a competing drafting line. It didn’t work.
“It was a wrong decision,” Stewart said. “I tried to get down in front of Kyle. Then the 2 [Kurt Busch] got glued to the 12 [Newman]. It’s probably one of the most disappointing moments of my racing career.”
Much of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race was relatively calm as drivers and teams toyed with the cars formerly known as cars of tomorrow and tried to establish themselves for the final 50 laps.
There were no significant incidents until lap 162, when David Ragan lost control of his car in Turn 4 and tagged teammate Matt Kenseth. Both cars hit the outside wall, bringing out the day’s third caution.
Fifteen laps later, defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, racing in the middle of a pack of cars exiting Turn 2, went into a spin, collecting several cars and producing caution No. 4.
The mayhem wasn’t over. With 18 laps to go, Clint Bowyer spun onto the apron adjacent to Turn 1 as he, Jeff Burton and Newman raced three wide for the lead. Bowyer’s car apparently was tapped by the Dodge of Juan Pablo Montoya.
A few laps later, the caution flew again as Kevin Harvick bumped Dave Blaney into the wall and into the path of Mark Martin.
Then contender Casey Mears lost his shot at winning as he moved high in Turn 1 and was clipped by Stewart. Mears hit the wall, forcing another caution and setting up the three-lap dash to the finish. Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch and Stewart ran in the top three as they took the day’s last green flag.
Following Newman, who won the 500 for the first time, were Kurt Busch, Stewart, Kyle Busch and Reed Sorenson.
Mentioned Drivers: Ryan Newman
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
Popular News
-
Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue
Comments (79) -
Kyle Busch would consider Nationwide title his biggest achievement in NASCAR
Comments (70) -
Denny Hamlin vows to retaliate against Brad Keselowski
Comments (70) -
Jeff Gluck: Brad Keselowski's aggressive style should be embraced, not criticized
Comments (53) -
Jimmie Johnson's Texas trouble reignites NASCAR Sprint Cup championship battle
Comments (48)
Recent Headlines
-
Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday cap off championship year for KHI
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards spins, leads final Nationwide practice
Post Comment -
Colin Braun wins Truck pole for season finale
Post Comment -
Denny Hamlin to have minor knee surgery Wednesday
Comments (1) -
Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead
Comments (9)
Poll PositionView All
Which has been most detrimental to NASCAR television ratings and attendance this season?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
Comments
2 responses to "Golden moment: Newman wins 50th Daytona 500". Post a Comment.
Roy Sakabu said:
Feb 17, 2008 at 9:20 PMthis is amazing that newman won the 500
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportRoy Sakabu said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:09 PMthis is amazing that newman won the 500
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report