To honor Ryan Newman after his horrific crash in this year’s Daytona 500, here’s a throwback to 2008 to look at the victory by the man they call “Rocketman” in the 50th running of the Great American Race.
Only eight drivers that entered that race are still racing full-time, including this year’s winner Denny Hamlin. The 2008 race marked the first Daytona 500 for the Car of Tomorrow, which debuted at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2007.
The race began with one of the longest opening green flag runs of the race, where the first caution flag came out on Lap 81 for debris. With no stages yet existing in NASCAR, teams had to compete on the track and on pit road with green flag pit stops.
The first accident brought out the third caution of the day when David Ragan pinched Matt Kenseth into the outside wall exiting Turn 4. Many cars dodged the wreck by taking pit road at almost 190 miles per hour. However, this was the start of the varying strategies for the closing laps of the race. Some drivers elected for four tires, others two, Dave Blaney with fuel only and Dale Earnhardt Jr. electing to stay on track.
When the green flag came back out for the restart, the strategies immediately showed their strengths and weaknesses. Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for Earnhardt Jr., shared that track position was his reasoning for keeping his driver out on track. Dave Blaney restarted second and was able to stay hooked to Jr.’s rear bumper for the majority of the run until the outside lane started to build momentum.
Tensions began to build as the leaders approached 20 laps remaining. On the backstretch, Jimmie Johnson got loose on the exit of Turn 2 and spun after light contact with Sam Hornish Jr. Martin Truex Jr. would also go for a spin, but all three drivers would continue. More cars would come to pit road again, and with radio issues, Earnhardt Jr. missed coming to pit road.
The field would return green flag racing, but for just a few laps as Clint Bowyer would spin off the front bumper of Juan Pablo Montoya. Shortly after the restart, Mark Martin and Dave Blaney would crash in Turn 4, and the last caution would come out for Casey Mears after a late block on Tony Stewart entering Turn 1.
But the quiet duo of Newman and teammate Kurt Busch would dodge every wreck and gain positions each time.
“Can you imagine the excitement of any of these drivers that’s gonna get to win the 50th running of the Daytona 500? That’s one we’ll never forget.” said FOX Sports commentator Darrell Waltrip under caution approaching the final restart.
Newman was in third on the final restart with three laps to go, and planned to patiently wait to connect with someone who could work with him to get a run to the front. Jeff Burton started in front, but was quickly overrun by Kyle Busch and Earnhardt Jr, and on the outside with Stewart and Newman. Kurt Busch was able to follow through, making the Team Penske cars second and third.
On the white flag lap, Stewart had to choose which lane to block heading down the backstretch. He decided to go low and block Kyle Busch, his teammate. That opened the door for Kurt Busch to hook onto the rear bump and bump-draft Newman to the lead. The Penske teammates had too strong of a run for Stewart to counter, giving Newman his first Daytona 500 victory. The win broke an 81-race winless streak, dating back to 2005 when he won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It was team owner Roger Penske’s first restrictor plate victory, first 1-2 finish and his first Daytona 500 win.
“It’s awesome,” said Newman after his father came into victory lane hugging and cheering. “We’re a family, and getting this Alltel Dodge in Victory Lane was awesome, and I couldn’t have done it without Kurt Busch. Tony (Stewart) blocked me hard; thankfully he thought he had Kyle (Busch) to help push him, but when Kurt pushed me, we just stuck together and it was just awesome.”
Later that year, Newman would win in the then NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on October 25, 2008 in the E-Z-Go 200. This victory would make him become the 19th driver in NASCAR history to win in all three top national touring series.
On behalf of all the staff at Kickin’ the Tires and all of the NASCAR and motorsports community, we are all grateful at the news that Newman survived his horrific crash on Monday, was released from Halifax Medical Center on Wednesday, and is continuing to focus on his health as Ross Chastain will pilot the No. 6 Ford Mustang in substitution.
Photos courtesy of Nigel Kinrade Photography.
