To say that Hendrick Motorsports got whipped is no understatement. Last years points champ Jimmie Johnson along with Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears and team-Hendrick newcomer Dale Earnhardt Jr., all left the Daytona International Speedway following the 50th Daytona 500 stock car race with tails firmly tucked between their legs. It was the Penske team of owner Roger Penske celebrating in victory lane after Ryan Newman crossed the finish line first in his No.12 Alltel Dodge with team mate Kurt Busch driving the No.2 Miller Lite Dodge right behind him for a second place finish. The win was a first for Penske, a 14 time winner in the Indianapolis 500.
The win was Newman's first in 81 NASCAR Cup races. It was also the first win for Newman with new crew chief Roy McCauley. The tandem had combined for six wins back in the 2005 Nationwide Series.
"Kurt was the push from heaven that made it happen," Newman said of the help his teammate gave him in his final push to the finish line. "I have to thank Kurt first and foremost.
The Toyota Camry’s of Joe Gibbs Racing driven by Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota and Kyle Busch in the M&M’s Toyota came in second and third. The Joe Gibbs team dominated the afternoon at Daytona and was in position to win the race when the white flag dropped to signify the race’s final lap. Stewart had the lead on the high side of the track with Newman getting a push from Kurt Busch directly behind. Stewart dropped low hoping to get a push from his team mate Kyle Busch but the help didn’t materialize allowing Newman and Kurt Busch to pass. And the rest is history.
"It would be a lie to say I'm happy about going from first to third on the last lap of the Daytona 500," Stewart said.
The only car from Hendrick Motorsports to finish in the top-10 was the Amp Energy Chevrolet driven by Earnhardt finishing ninth. Teammates Johnson and Casey Mears finished 27th and 35th respectively after late race incidents. Jeff Gordon, who experienced suspension issues on lap 154, was 39th.
According to oddsmakers at Bodoglife.com, a bet on Ryan Newman winning Sunday’s Daytona 500 stock car race paid 20/1 ( $100 bet to win $2,000).Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr were both heavy 4/1 favorites to win while last years points champion Jimmie Johnson was a 5/1 favorite.
