Daytona 500 2008
The Daytona 500 2008 is the 50th edition of the so-called "Great American Race", the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The race took place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway . As a special feature for the fiftieth anniversary, the Harley J. Earl Trophy was presented to the winner in gold instead of the usual silver.
In the 2008 season , the Daytona 500 was held for the first time with the Car of Tomorrow . It was also the first race under the new main sponsor Sprint . The eight-time champion Richard Petty cleared the race at 3:30 p.m.
Prize money of 18.6 million US dollars was distributed , 250,000 spectators were present, and a total of 43 pilots started with vehicles with a total of 36,000 horsepower . The race is also the fourth largest sporting event in the world. The United States Senate has the 17th February 2008 officially declared the "Race Day in America".
In Germany transferred Premiere Sports the event live. 30 advertising seconds in the US cost $ 550,000. 17.8 million people in Germany watched it.
procedure
- February 9th: Budweiser Shootout
- February 10: Cup qualifying
- February 14: Gatorade Duel (2:00 p.m.), Craftsman Truck Qualifying (7:00 p.m.)
- February 15th: Nationwide Qualifying (3:00 p.m.), Craftsman Truck Race
- February 16: Cup Happy Hour (10:30 am), Nationwide Race (1:00 pm)
- February 17: Daytona 500 (3:30 p.m.)
qualification
Pole qualifying
On February 10, the two best drivers were rewarded with the first two places in the “Pole Qualifying”. That privilege went to Jimmie Johnson first on the grid and Michael Waltrip second.
Gatorade Duel
Qualification for the big race took place on February 14th at Daytona International Speedway . The winner in race one was Dale Earnhardt junior , race two was won by Denny Hamlin .
Driver comments on the Gatorade duel
“The car was great, I was able to keep up with Jeff Gordon. I thought that maybe we'd stick together. I sat down behind him and pushed him. We pushed Denny Hamlin past Tony Stewart, but then Tony came back. The Gibbs boys are really good, and Stewart is tough. He worked with his teammate and we finished fourth. "
“We have a good car for Sunday. I had a good time and it will be fun. The tires are okay, it will be a nice and interesting strategy race. I am very happy with the car. "
“The car was good. I came forward on my own and was even able to take the lead. Then I made a mistake and picked the wrong row, and that set me back. But we have a great car and we should look good in the '500. "
Race course
The race was started by Richard Petty , after which the first half was manageable and as expected it seemed to be a duel between the Hendrick-Chevrolets and Gibbs-Toyotas. The only notable situation was when Jimmie Johnson came to the pit stop under a green flag, but the crew had problems changing tires. After 81 of a total of 200 laps, the first yellow phase was declared.
At the beginning of the second half of the race, the two Penske drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman made their way forward in their dodges. Brian Vickers retired from the race after a flat tire. At the next caution phase, 50 laps before the end, Kyle Busch , Clint Bowyer , Greg Biffle , Dale Earnhardt junior and Tony Stewart took turns in the lead. Jeff Gordon had to end the race with a broken suspension during a pit stop. David Ragan finished his race and that of his teammate Matt Kenseth (Ford Fusion) through his own fault .
In the crucial phase of the race before the end, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart changed four and two tires, Dale Earnhardt junior underestimated the driving behavior with unchanged tires and ultimately had no more chances against the other contenders for victory. Jimmie Johnson was forced into a spin because of a light contact with Sam Hornish Jr. Shortly before the end, Juan Pablo Montoya was in fifth place. This pushed Clint Bowyer , who had been the leader to date, slightly, so that he drifted into the infield. The Colombian temporarily achieved second place behind Ryan Newman - in the end Montoya finished the race in 32nd place. Shortly afterwards, Kevin Harvick and Dave Blaney clashed and also involved Denny Hamlin in the collision. Shortly before the end, Jeff Burton led Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman - Kyle Busch was fourth, Casey Mears fifth, Stewart sixth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. eighth. Mears tried to sit in front of Stewart, there was contact and as a result the seventh caution phase. The final lap was a head-to-head race between Stewart and Newman. Newman's advantage was that his team-mate Kurt Busch drove directly behind him, pushing him to the finish with a bump draft and thus ensuring a one-two for Penske Racing .
result
| space | begin | Car no. | driver | brand | team | round | status | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7th | 12 |
 Ryan Newman
|
Dodge | Penske Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 1,506,040 |
| 2 | 43 | 2 |
Kurt Busch
|
Dodge | Penske Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 1,063,870 |
| 3 | 6th | 20th |
Tony Stewart
|
Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 871,049 |
| 4th | 24 | 18th |
Kyle Busch •
|
Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 652,938 |
| 5 | 5 | 41 |
Reed Sorenson
|
Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 545,959 |
| 6th | 35 | 19th |
Elliott Sadler
|
Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 430,015 |
| 7th | 10 | 9 |
Kasey Kahne
|
Dodge | Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 389,204 |
| 8th | 26th | 7th |
Robby Gordon *
|
Dodge | Robby Gordon Motorsports | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 352,921 |
| 9 | 3 | 88 |
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (W)
|
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 352,920 |
| 10 | 18th | 16 |
Greg Biffle
|
ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 313,763 |
| 11 | 13 | 43 |
Bobby Labonte
|
Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 329,756 |
| 12 | 23 | 83 |
Brian Vickers
|
Toyota | Red Bull Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 285,245 |
| 13 | 36 | 31 |
Jeff Burton
|
Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 323,496 |
| 14th | 16 | 29 |
Kevin Harvick (W)
|
Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 322,224 |
| 15th | 19th | 77 |
Sam Hornish Junior (R)
|
Dodge | Penske Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 319,845 |
| 16 | 20th | 44 |
Dale Jarrett (W)
|
Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 277,213 |
| 17th | 4th | 11 |
Denny Hamlin
|
Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 341,416 |
| 18th | 42 | 00 |
David Reutimann
|
Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 291,221 |
| 19th | 11 | 99 |
Carl Edwards
|
ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 321,520 |
| 20th | 25th | 1 |
Martin Truex junior
|
Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 303,978 |
| 21st | 27 | 66 |
Scott Riggs
|
Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 287,928 |
| 22nd | 21st | 15th |
Paul Menard
|
Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 279,295 |
| 23 | 33 | 70 |
Jeremy Mayfield
|
Chevrolet | Haas CNC Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 271,220 |
| 24 | 31 | 07 |
Clint Bowyer
|
Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 284,545 |
| 25th | 37 | 96 |
JJ Yeley
|
Toyota | Hall of Fame Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 277,095 |
| 26th | 38 | 26th |
Jamie McMurray
|
ford | Roush Fenway Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 276,888 |
| 27 | 1 | 48 |
Jimmie Johnson (W)
|
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 329,606 |
| 28 | 32 | 38 |
David Gilliland
|
ford | Yates Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 278,746 |
| 29 | 2 | 55 |
Michael Waltrip (W)
|
Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 275,135 |
| 30th | 30th | 28 |
Travis Kvapil
|
ford | Yates Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 291,202 |
| 31 | 12 | 8th |
Mark Martin
|
Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 301,846 |
| 32 | 15th | 42 |
 Juan Pablo Montoya
|
Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | 200 | Suitable for driving | $ 290,753 |
| 33 | 40 | 40 |
 Dario Franchitti (R)
|
Dodge | Chip Ganassi Racing | −1 | Suitable for driving | $ 270,613 |
| 34 | 39 | 45 |
Kyle Petty
|
Dodge | Petty Enterprises | −3 | Suitable for driving | $ 260,320 |
| 35 | 9 | 5 |
Casey Mears
|
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | −6 | accident | $ 284,945 |
| 36 | 28 | 17th |
Matt Kenseth
|
ford | Roush Fenway Racing | −6 | Suitable for driving | $ 308,129 |
| 37 | 29 | 01 |
Regan Smith (R)
|
Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | −6 | Suitable for driving | $ 267,095 |
| 38 | 34 | 22nd |
Dave Blaney
|
Toyota | Bill Davis Racing | −11 | accident | $ 259,563 |
| 39 | 8th | 24 |
Jeff Gordon (W)
|
Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | −14 | suspension | $ 319,599 |
| 40 | 22nd | 34 |
John Andretti
|
Chevrolet | Front Row Motorsports | −16 | Suitable for driving | $ 258,613 |
| 41 | 41 | 78 |
Joe Nemechek
|
Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | −29 | Suitable for driving | $ 258,470 |
| 42 | 14th | 6th |
David Ragan
|
ford | Roush Fenway Racing | −39 | accident | $ 267,763 |
| 43 | 17th | 87 |
Kenny Wallace
|
Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing | −59 | engine | $ 256,735 |
- (W) - former race winner
- (R) - rookie
Starting grid
| position | No. | driver | vehicle | team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 | J. Johnson | Chevrolet | Hendrick |
| 2 | 55 | M. Waltrip | Toyota | Michael Waltrip |
| 3 | 88 | D. Earnhardt Jun. | Chevrolet | Hendrick |
| 4th | 11 | D. Hamlin | Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 5 | 41 | R. Sorenson | Dodge | Ganassi |
| 6th | 20th | T. Stewart | Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 7th | 12 | R. Newman | Dodge | Penske |
| 8th | 24 | J. Gordon | Chevrolet | Hendrick |
| 9 | 5 | C. Mears | Chevrolet | Hendrick |
| 10 | 9 | K. Kahne | Dodge | Evernham |
| 11 | 99 | C. Edwards | ford | Roush |
| 12 | 8th | M. Martin | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt |
| 13 | 43 | B. Labonte | Dodge | Petty |
| 14th | 6th | D. Ragan | ford | Roush |
| 15th | 42 | J. Montoya | Dodge | Ganassi |
| 16 | 29 | K. Harvick | Chevrolet | Richard Childress |
| 17th | 87 | K. Wallace | Chevrolet | Furniture Row |
| 18th | 16 | G. Biffle | ford | Roush |
| 19th | 77 | S. Hornish Jun. | Dodge | Penske |
| 20th | 44 | D. Jarrett | Toyota | Michael Waltrip |
| 21st | 15th | P. Menard | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt |
| 22nd | 34 | J. Andretti | Chevrolet | Front Row |
| 23 | 83 | B. Vickers | Toyota | Red Bull |
| 24 | 18th | K. Busch | Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 25th | 1 | M. Truex Jun. | Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt |
| 26th | 7th | R. Gordon | Dodge | Robby Gordon |
| 27 | 66 | S. Riggs | Chevrolet | Haas |
| 28 | 16 | M. Kenseth | ford | Roush |
| 29 | 01 | R. Smith | Chevrolet | BAM Racing |
| 30th | 28 | T. Kvapil | ford | Yates |
| 31 | 07 | C. Bowyer | Chevrolet | Richard Childress |
| 32 | 38 | D. Gilliland | ford | Yates |
| 33 | 70 | J. Mayfield | Chevrolet | Haas |
| 34 | 22nd | D. Blaney | Toyota | Bill Davis |
| 35 | 19th | E. Sadler | Dodge | Evernham |
| 36 | 31 | J. Burton | Chevrolet | Richard Childress |
| 37 | 96 | J. Yeley | Toyota | Hall of Fame |
| 38 | 26th | J. McMurray | ford | Roush |
| 39 | 45 | K. Petty | Dodge | Petty |
| 40 | 40 | D. Franchitti | Dodge | Ganassi |
| 41 | 78 | J. Nemechek | Chevrolet | Furniture Row |
| 42 | 00 | D. Reutimann | Toyota | Michael Waltrip |
| 43 | 2 | K. Busch | Dodge | Penske |
Celebrity tickets for charity
The design of the tickets for a good cause was determined by fans in a competition on daytona5000.com. Many celebrities showed interest in the action, including Kevin Harvick , Dale Earnhardt, Jr. , Michael Waltrip , Jimmie Johnson , Mario Andretti , Jason Lee , Leah Remini , Kelly Ripa , Jeff Foxworthy , Carson Daly , Mike Joy , Dr. Jerry Punch , Goldberg and Tony Hawk .
