Johnson wins Daytona 500

No. 48 car overcame absence of crew chief Knaus

Posted: Sunday February 19, 2006 4:47PM; Updated: Sunday February 19, 2006 6:46PM


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson won a two-lap shootout Sunday to claim his first Daytona 500 victory, winning American stock car racing's premier event six days after his pit crew chief was suspended.

Johnson had a strong car when he arrived at Daytona International Speedway 10 days ago, and posted the fifth-fastest time in time trials. But when the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) inspected his car, officials discovered that crew chief Chad Knaus had made an illegal modification.

Knaus was barred from the event, seemingly spoiling Johnson's shot to win The Great American Race.

However, Johnson avoided trouble in a wild race that saw Tony Stewart eliminate three contenders: Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and himself. Then Johnson worked his way to the front, staying in line and waiting for his opportunity.

It came with 14 laps to go when he squeezed past teammate Brian Vickers to grab the lead just as race officials slowed the field for a caution period because of a crash. Johnson was at the front of the field on the restart, and stayed there to the end -- including one final restart after Jamie McMurray wrecked with seven laps to go to bring out one final caution.

It set up a final dash, but no one was able to challenge him.

Yah, Tony Stewart did a good job of taking out Kenseth.That after all his whining about not driving aggresively before the race. Never did like Stewart. Working for Roush I'd of course like to see a Roush car win, but other than that I really like Earnhardt and his style.I dont like to see any race finnish under the yellow though, I think if they had just three or four laps to go under green Earnhardt may have had a chance. It is amazing what these guys can pull off in the last lap.

Yeah, Jimmy Johnson proved that cheating can indeed pay off. What a joke.

How did he cheat?

Ask Chad Knaus

They all have their little tricks of the trade.The best ones just dont get caught at it.Been that way since it,s conception, but there is still no sport I love more.

Love the sport. Not the 48 team. Jimmy Johnson is one of the sorest winners I've ever seen. Hopefully NASCAR will follow through with parking Chad Knaus for the next four weeks, as some have suggested.

Well Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon are two whiners of a kind, so is Stewart though.

you're right, mariner. Stewart seemed to have a better attitude last year than in previous years. Daytona's incidents don't bode well for this year.

Stewarts head is just getting bigger and he thinks he can do no wrong, thats all.

He won it fair and square. The illegal modification made on his car was removed.

If it was an isolated incident, I could buy that. They got caught 7 times last year; they have a pattern of trying to cheat the system. The squeaked by the final inspections, but they have a proven track record of deception and trickery. It diminishes the "glory" of their accomplishment.

They won it, yes. Fair and square? They got off easy with their penalty; the team should have been disqualified for the weekend for such a blatant cheat.

I think Knaus should be ejected from the Hendrick camp at the very least. He keeps trying to cheat and keeps getting caught, making the whole organization look like idiots.Although I am satisfied that after three pre race inspections and the post race inspection, the car passed all inspections I'll give him the race I guess, doesnt mean I like Johnson or Gordon though. But for years I did not like Dale Earnhardt Sr., then I learned to appreciate his style and all the good things he brought to the sport. Richard Petty is still the King and always will be though.

I agree, mariner

Thank you Sir. I have been watching NASCAR for the last 30 years and truly love the sport more than anything.

Let's crucify him.

Seriously, look at all the crap Dale Earhardt got by with for all of those years. The way in which he got killed, he had been doing that crap to other drivers for years.