Great American Race

By Heath Bloxton
   In a race filled with intense driving, major setbacks, and desperate maneuvers, the 2006 Daytona 500 ended with youngster, Jimmie Johnson and the #48 Lowes racing team, celebrating at victory lane.
   Johnson’s win at Daytona was his first at “The Great American Race” and was quite possibly his most exciting victory. Johnson passed his Hendrick Motor Sports teammate, Brian Vickers, on lap 186 and held off his challengers to the end.
   The Daytona 500 (the biggest race of the year) has been known for drivers doing things “out of character.” Throughout the race, tempers flared and drivers made risky moves that cost them positions in the race. Last season’s Nextel Cup winner Tony Stewart was the cause of several wrecks at the 500. Many racers accused Stewart of being a hypocrite because he had spoken out against “aggressive” driving several days before the race. Stewart finished fifth overall.
   Dale Earnhardt Jr. also was a victim of a risky maneuver at the end of the race. Earnhardt moved to the outside of the track, trying to make desperation run. However, he began falling behind further and the risk did not pay off. Earnhardt finished eighth.
   Another factor that made Johnson’s win even more impressive was the fact that his crew chief, Chad Knaus, had been ejected from Daytona for making illegal adjustments to Johnson’s car after the qualifying run. Due to the illegal move by Knaus, Johnson was said to have “cheated” his way to victory. After the race, Johnson dedicated the victory to all of the “haters of the 48 team.”