Former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis talks about his son before the start of the Daytona 500. Lewis was the honorary starter for Sunday's race.
DAYTONA BEACH – Jimmie Johnson won the 55th running of the Daytona 500 Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second followed by Mark Martin third.
"I really couldn't have done much without the help of Mark Martin," said Earnhardt. "We just didn't have enough to get a run on Jimmie."
Danica Patrick finished in eighth place, which was the highest finish by a female driver.
500 MILES
Denny Hamlin took over the lead in the race and led for awhile.
The fifth caution of the day came out on Lap 172 after Jeff Burton’s No. 31 Chevrolet hit the wall and destroyed the front right side of his car, sending him to the garage. During the yellow, Scott Speed took the top spot for a couple of laps before being forced to pit.
That opened the door for Brad Keselowski to take the top spot going into the restart on Lap 181. Michael Waltrip moved into second with Jimmie Johnson third. Marcos Ambrose made a big move up to fourth.
Patrick moved into third after Waltrip and Johnson dropped back into the pack.
Keselowski and Johnson battled in the front of the pack.
The sixth caution of the day came out on Lap 191 for debris on the racetrack in Turn 2.
The race restarted with six laps to go and Johnson held on to win the race.
400 MILES
Matt Kenseth continued to lead the race.
On Lap 129, about a half dozen cars made their way into a green flag pit stop including Patrick. The stop reshuffled some of the running order as Hamlin and Clint Bowyer moved into second and third, respectfully behind Kenseth.
The fourth caution of the day came out after Brad Keslowski’s No. 2 Ford lost control of his car in Turn 3 and dropped down to the apron sending several other drivers into a nine-car pile-up which included Trevor Bayne, Carl Edwards, David Ragan and David Gilliland. The wreck also sent Austin Dillon and John Wise to the garage.
That left 26 cars on the lead lap at the restart of the race with 54 laps to go.
However, Kenseth’s day took a turn on Lap 149 when his No. 20 Toyota showed signs of smoke on the front, left side. It forced him to head to pit road and opened the door for Hamlin to grab the lead.
Kenseth’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Kyle Busch was forced to head to pit road on the following lap.
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Jimmie Johnson wins his second Daytona 500
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Jimmie Johnson wins his second Daytona 500
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Jimmie Johnson wins his second Daytona 500
