2008 Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 2008 is the 50th edition of the so-called " Great American Race", the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The race was held at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, 17 February 2008. A special feature of the fiftieth anniversary of the Harley J. Earl Trophy went gold for the winner, instead of the usual silver, presents.

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 of Sprint. The eight-time champion Richard Petty has release the race at 15:30 clock.

Was paid 18.6 million U.S. dollars in prize money, present were 250,000 spectators, a total of 43 pilots started with vehicles, which recorded a total of 36,000 hp. In addition, the race is the fourth- largest sporting event in the world. The Senate of the United States has the February 17, 2008 officially declared a " Race Day in America".

In Germany Premiere Sport rendered live the event. 30 seconds of advertising in the U.S. cost $ 550,000. See the course have dortzulande 17.8 million people.

Expiration

  • February 9: Budweiser Shootout
  • February 10: Cup qualifying
  • February 14: Gatorade Duel (14:00 clock ), Craftsman Truck Qualifying ( 19:00 clock )
  • 15 February: Nationwide Qualifying (15:00 clock ), Craftsman Truck race
  • FEBRUARY 16: Cup Happy Hour ( 10:30 clock ), Nationwide race (13:00 clock )
  • FEBRUARY 17: Daytona 500 ( 15:30 clock )

Qualification

Pole qualifying

On February 10, the two best riders were rewarded in the "Pole qualifying " with the first two places. This privilege was Jimmie Johnson was the first on the grid and Michael Waltrip as the second part to.

Gatorade Duel

Qualifying for the big race was held at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. Winner in race one was Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin race two could decide for themselves.

Driver comments for Gatorade Duel

"The car was great, I could keep up with Jeff Gordon. I thought that perhaps we would stick together. I sat behind him and pushed him. We have Denny Hamlin pushed past Tony Stewart, but then came back Tony. The Gibbs guys are really good, and Stewart is quite tough. He worked with his teammates, and we were 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 have come on their own to the front and was even able to take the lead. Then I made ​​a mistake and selected the wrong number, which has set me back. But we have a great car and should look at the '500 ' good. "

Race course

They started the race by Richard Petty, after the first half was manageable and as expected, it seemed to a duel between the Hendrick Chevrolets and Gibbs Toyotas to come. The only significant situation was when Jimmie Johnson under green flag came to the pit stop, the crew but had problems when changing tires. After 81 of a total of 200 rounds the first caution period was declared.

At the beginning of the second half of the race, the two Penske driver Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman blazed in their Dodges the way forward. Brian Vickers retired after a tire blow out of the race. To the next caution period 50 laps to go Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart took turns in the lead. Jeff Gordon had to finish the race with a broken suspension the race during a pit stop. David Ragan finished by own fault his race and that of teammate Matt Kenseth ( Ford Fusion ).

In the decisive phase of the race before the end of Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart alternated four and two tires, Dale Earnhardt Jr. underestimated the driving behavior with ungewechselten tires and had finally no chance against the other winning candidates. Jimmie Johnson was forced into a spin because of a slight contact with Sam Hornish Jr.. Shortly before the end, Juan Pablo Montoya was fifth. This pushed the leading so far Clint Bowyer slightly, so that it drifted into the infield. The Colombian gained so temporarily place behind Ryan Newman - ultimately finished the race Montoya 32nd Shortly thereafter, Kevin Harvick came with Dave Blaney each other, and intricate and Denny Hamlin in the collision. Shortly before the end led Jeff Burton before Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman - Kyle Busch was fourth, Casey Mears as the best Hendrick drivers Fifth, Sixth Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. eighth. Mears tried to put in front of Stewart, it came to a contact and consequently the seventh caution period. The last round was a head-to -head race between Stewart and Newman. Newman's advantage was that his teammate Kurt Busch drove right behind him, pushed him with a Bumpdraft the finish and thus caused a double victory for Penske Racing.

Result

  • (W ) - former race winner
  • (R) - Rookie

Line-up

Celebrity Tickets for Charity

The design of the tickets for a good cause was determined in a competition on daytona5000.com of fans. 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.

2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2008 Budweiser Shootout Budweiser Duel Carl Edwards Martin Truex, Jr. Team Penske Joe Gibbs Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Robby Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises Richard Childress Racing Dale Jarrett Michael Waltrip Racing David Reutimann Scott Riggs Paul Menard Hall of Fame Racing Jamie McMurray David Gilliland Travis Kvapil Dario Franchitti Kyle Petty Regan Smith Triad Racing Technologies John Andretti Front Row Motorsports Joe Nemechek Jason Lee (actor) Bill Goldberg
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