Jimmie Johnson Wins Daytona 500, Patrick Finishes 8th

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(Image Source: Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports)

BY CANDICE AVILES

Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500 on Sunday making it his second time winning the race.  But it was Danica Patrick’s eighth place finish that stole the limelight.  

“She was the first woman to win the pole position for the 500, she became the first woman today in history to lead at least one lap and she had the highest finish of any woman in the history of the daytona 500.” [Video: CNN]

Even before the race began, the grand marshal James Franco acknowledged that this was Danica’s time to shine, when he said, “Drivers -- and Danica -- start your engines!” and later mentioned “this really is Danica Patrick’s Daytona 500.”

Over the course of the race, Danica took the lead three times.  She stayed ahead of an early crash that knocked out some strong contenders. “Kasey Kahne, running third, had to check up on Lap 33 and Kyle Busch bumped him, sending Kahne spinning in front of a big pack of traffic and igniting the eight-car wreck.”  The wreck took favorites Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart out as well.

WOHL has the stats on how Johnson kept up through the race.

“He started 9th, the lowest Jimmy was was 18th. His fastest lap came on 186 of 200 and that was just under 200 miles per hour and a late charge to the front.”

After the race, Danica said she didn’t have much to complain about seeing that she stayed within the top 10 spots throughout the race.

“I had a little bit of help today here and there, but I felt like if I was going to dive low, I had a feeling I was going to get freight-trained. ... At the end of the day, it was a solid day."

Besides Johnson’s victory and Danica making history, another event off the track had everyone talking.  

Rapper 50 Cent attempted to kiss reporter Erin Andrews during post game coverage and, well, it was just awkward.  

And as far as his rationale goes, 50 Cent later tweeted, “Hey I wanted to kiss her so I did.”

Maybe next time, buddy.

 

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