NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports)
Daytona Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Jimmie Johnson has won the Daytona 500
for the second time in his already illustrious NASCAR career after holding off
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the final lap.
Johnson, the five-time Sprint Cup Series champion, grabbed the lead for the
final time just before a caution came for debris on the track. He beat
Earnhardt, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, to finish line by just 0.129
seconds. Johnson won NASCAR's most prestigious race for the first time in
2006. He also became the 10th different driver to score multiple victories in
this event.
Mark Martin finished third, followed by Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Sprint Cup
titleholder, and Ryan Newman.
Danica Patrick became the highest finishing female in the Daytona 500 with an
eighth-place run. Patrick, who started on the pole, also became the first
woman to lead laps in this race. She ran in front for a total of six laps.
The Sports Network