Penalty for cheating doesn't slow Johnson's team
February 19, 2006Cheaters never prosper, or so the saying goes. Some people were wondering, though, after Sunday's Daytona 500. As Jimmie Johnson celebrated the biggest victory of his career, at least one of his competitors wondered aloud if his car should have even been in the race after his crew chief was ejected from Daytona International Speedway earlier in the week for cheating. "It's not good for the sport," said Ryan Newman, who finished close behind Johnson in third.
Stewart's aggressive side resurfaces at Daytona
February 19, 2006After drawing praise all week for acting as NASCAR's calming voice of reason, Tony Stewart took out three top contenders in the Daytona 500 - Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and perhaps himself. Stewart was back in his black hat on Sunday, running Kenseth into the infield grass on lap 107 after tangling with Gordon early in the race. The bumping sent Stewart plunging to the back of the pack, but he rebounded in the closing laps to finish fifth.
Earnhardt gets another top-10 finish at Daytona
February 19, 2006Dale Earnhardt Jr. stared at the scoreboard, saw his No. 8 car listed in fifth place and knew there was an error. There was no way he had a top-five finish. Not with an ill-handling car. Not with an inconsistent engine. Not with increasingly cool weather that made it nearly impossible to pass. The standings were eventually changed, and Junior felt fortunate to finish eighth in the Daytona 500 on Sunday - five years after his father's death on the final lap of the same race.
Driver page
February 19, 2006
Race Trax: Daytona 500
February 19, 2006Two of the big Daytona 500 favorites have already been involved in a dustup. Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon came together and both wound up brushing the wall on Lap 48. Follow all the action right here.
Mike Wallace cleared to drive in Daytona 500
February 19, 2006A little brotherly love almost cost Mike Wallace a spot in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Wallace took a hard hit in Friday's truck series race and was resting in his motor home when younger brother Kenny stopped by to check on him. Not convinced all was right with his brother, Kenny Wallace asked a doctor in the Daytona care center to check him for a concussion. Mike Wallace received a clean bill of health, but the evaluation was noted on his chart.
Helton to drivers: Another aggressive racing reminder
February 19, 2006During the prerace drivers' meeting, NASCAR president Mike Helton warned drivers about aggressive driving once again.
PHOTOS
February 19, 2006