Daytona 500

SI Staff | Feb 20, 2008

Daytona 500 /

Daytona 500

Ryan Newman wins the Daytona 500

Smiling from ear to ear, Daytona 500 champ Ryan Newman celebrated the biggest win of his career.

Ryan Newman wins Daytona 500

Ryan Newman leaps on top of his vehicle to celebrate his first Daytona 500 victory.

Tony Stewart leads mini-pack

Tony Stewart was in first place with a lap to go, but made a tactical mistake and was passed by the two Dodges on his tail.

Ryan Newman gets the bump-draft from Kurt Busch.

With Tony Stewart sliding down to the inside line, Kurt Busch (2) stayed behind teammate Ryan Newman (12) and helped push him to the win.

Newman first to the finish!

Ryan Newman crosses the finish line milli-seconds ahead of Kurt Busch in a race in which six of the top eight finishers were in Dodges.

The victor's spoils

Ryan Newman enjoys a planned spinout after the race in the beautifully manicured infield, a customary tradition for the Daytona 500 champion.

Daytona 500 Pit Row

Pit Row is a bustling area for drivers and their crews approximately 170 miles into the Daytona 500.

Tony Stewart in the pits

''I don't think there's too many people that would take the white flag and like finishing third,'' a dejected Tony Stewart sighed at day's end. ''We tried to win the Daytona 500. That's all I can say. I just made the wrong decision on the backstretch.''

...And they're off!

With the waving of the green flag, the 50th Daytona 500 starts without a hitch.

Dale Earnhardt., Jr. and his Amp'd-up Chevy

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who finished 9th on Sunday, actually led the Daytona 500 three separate times -- and as late as Lap 172.

Kyle Busch leads Ryan Newman at Lap 100

Kyle Busch, who finished fourth, enjoys a brief advantage over eventual champion Ryan Newman at Lap 100.

David Ragan crashes into wall

David Ragan's dreams of capturing his first Daytona 500 title quickly evaporated after he hit the wall. Ragan finished 42nd.

Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart, NASCAR's points champ in 2002 and '05, autographs the vehicle of three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett, who will be retiring this year. Stewart ended up in third place, 13 slots higher than Jarrett.

Jeff Gordon with daughter, Sofia

Jeff Gordon gets in a few minutes of family time with his young daughter, Sofia, prior to the Daytona 500. The three-time champion finished 39th.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. morphs into race-intensity mode just moments before the Daytona 500 drivers start their engines.

Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti, a star on the IRL circuit for years, collects himself just moments before his first Daytona 500 (he would finish 33rd).

Brooks and Dunn

Kix Brooks (of country music's Brooks and Dunn) entertains some of the 250,000-plus spectators at Daytona International Speedway.

Published Feb 20, 2008

SI STAFF