Harvick wins Daytona by a nose!

Wow! What a finish it was at the Daytona 500 with Kevin Harvick winning literally by a nose!

Mark Martin was the unfortunate soul to finish second after leading during laps 176 through 201. After 23 previous fruitless attempts, he came so close to finally taking the Daytona 500 only to be disappointed again. Martin was in the lead by mere inches, until a multi-car crash erupted behind him and Harvick. Harvick won by .02 seconds, less than a yard. It almost appeared as if Martin slowed down expecting a caution flag, but one never came.

The other hightlights of the race were the crashes. Obviously the one at the end was the best. This incident involved Clint bowyer, a second-year driver, crossing the finish line skidding on his hood and erupting in flames.

Other notable crashes involved Tony Stewart (the Daytona 500's favorite to win) and Kurt Busch. Stewart had just reclaimed the lead, after paying a penalty for speed, and was in good position to deliver a win for Joe Gibbs when he bobled slightly and got tapped by Busch. This caused Stewart's car to go sideways and then Busch slammed into Stewart's car. Both cars were totalled. Stewart finished last.

Jimmie Johnson then triggered another crash involving five cars after he lost control of his vehicle. Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ricky Rudd got slammed just before the final dash.

Your top five winners were:

1.) Kevin Harvick $1,510,469

2.) Mark Martin $1,102,258

3.) Jeff Burton $819,216

4.) Mike Wallace $615,658

5.) David Ragan $529,350

I would not feel sorry the guys who finished last as they still made over a 1/4 million dollars.

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Waltrip's Team also Punished

It is now official. Waltrip's team has also been punished for cheating at last Sunday's race.

Waltrip's vehicle had been impounded and a substance had been found in the intake manifold. Waltrip, a two-time Daytona winner, lost his crew chief and team director who were suspended indefinitely. Waltrip has also been docked 100 points, but will be allowed to participate in today's races that will determine the field for the 500.

NASCAR officials will not reveal what the substance was in the manifold. Someone with knowledge of the investigation told the Associated Press it was a property contained in jet fuel.

The substance that was found, which was described as an oxygenate, would boost the octane in the fuel, making the engine run better at higher horsepower.

Waltrip denied knowing about this substance and said he was "sad and embarrassed". He blamed the incident on an unnamed individual within his team.

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Cheating Takes a Toll on NASCAR

Four crew chiefs were suspended for infractions that occurred during last Sunday's Daytona 500.

NASCAR chairman Brian France stated NASCAR will no longer tolerate racing teams pushing the envelope to get more horsepower and speed. Not only were four crew chiefs/team directors suspended, but points from their drivers and teams were deducted for rule infractions that occurred during qualifying for the Daytona 500.

The penalties were against the teams of Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler.

Kenseth's crew chief and Kahne's crew director were each suspended for four weeks and fined $50,000. Their teams were assessed a 50-point penalty for improperly venting air into the interior of their cars. Venting the air would give the car an aerodynamic advantage.

Rigg's and Sadler's team directors were suspended for two weeks and each fined $25,000. Their teams were docked 25 points for tampering with rear spoiler bolts to try to give their cars an aerodynamic edge.

Fans are still waiting to see if Michael Waltrip's team is penalized. His vehicle was impounded and officials are trying to determine the nature of a substance discovered in the vehicle's intake manifold.

The teams are expected to appeal the suspensions and fines.

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Earnhardt Switching Teams?

Talks of Dale Earnhardt Jr., leaving the Dale Earnhardt Inc race team heats up. Earnhardt's father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., passed away a few years ago, which left his wife Teresa Earnhardt in charge of the company. Earnhardt Jr. wants his step-mother to give him majority ownership which has caused obvious strains.

Earnhardt's contract with DEI expires at the end of the year. His step-mother has questioned his commitment last December during an interview. Earnhardt states his position has nothing to do with money, simply ownership rights.

If Earnhardt is not able to position himself as the majority owner, he will more than likely leave the DEI team. Since he is one of the most recognizable faces in NASCAR, it will not be hard for him to find a new team. One of the most obvious teams would be the Richard Childress Racing team which Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a part of. Dale Sr. won six of his seven Cup titles for this team.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. described the relationship with his step-mother Teresa as, "It's not a bed of roses...The relationship we have today is the same relationship we had when I was 6 years old and moved into that house with Dad and her ".

Should Earnhardt Jr. leave, or stay with his father's company?

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