NASCAR: Harvick Edges Martin in Wild Daytona 500 Finish

Harvick's victory was Richard Childress Racing's first Daytona 500 win since Dale Earnhardt in 1998.

Kevin Harvick passed Mark Martin on the final lap of a green-white-checkered finish to win his first career Daytona 500. Photo: daytona500.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Kevin Harvick nipped Mark Martin at the start/finish line to capture the 49th annual Daytona 500 -- the closest Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring.

Harvick, who started seventh on the green-white-checkered finish, got drafting help on the outside from Matt Kenseth on the final lap and edged Martin at the start/finish line by less than a half a car length while a multi-car accident broke out behind.

"This is the Daytona 500, can you believe it?" Harvick said in Gatorade Victory Lane.

Martin, attempting to win his first Daytona 500 on his 23rd start, said the lack of drafting help coming off of Turn 4 proved the difference at the finish.

"When I looked up there at the end, I was minus any pushers," Martin said. "I didn't have any help to get it done and that's the way it goes."

Martin, competing in a part-time NEXTEL Cup schedule with Bobby Ginn Racing, was thrilled with the effort of the team that gave him an opportunity to win the Daytona 500.

"I want to say that I didn't ask for a win in the Daytona 500; I asked for a chance," Martin said. "Those guys gave me exactly what I asked for, and I let it slip away, slip through my fingers and I'm fine with that. I did my best."

Harvick, whose previous best finish in the Daytona 500 was fourth in 2003 and 2004, beat Martin by .020 seconds, the closest in Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring in 1993 and the eighth closest in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series overall.

Harvick's victory was Richard Childress Racing's first Daytona 500 win since Dale Earnhardt in 1998 and he also set a couple of Daytona 500 records in the process.

· His four laps led tied 1975 Daytona 500 champion Benny Parsons for the fewest laps led by a Daytona 500 winner.

· His starting position of 34th was the lowest starting position of a Daytona 500 winner.

· He became the fifth driver to win both the Daytona 500 and the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series in the same year.

"It's pretty incredible to be honest with you, to finally break that wall down and then win two days in a row, and then win the biggest race of the season," Harvick said.

"We've won the Brickyard 400 but I don't think there's anything that can match a Daytona 500 in stock car racing," Harvick continued. "This is what it is, and this is as big as it gets. I'm just glad that we're able to accomplish that."

With 47 laps to go, two cars that appeared to be top contenders to win the Daytona 500 crashed.

Tony Stewart's No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet got loose in Turn 4 and then was nudged by Kurt Busch's No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge taking both cars out of the race.

Busch had led three times for 95 laps while Stewart led twice for 33 laps.

"It wasn't meant to be today," said an upbeat Stewart.

Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage served as Grand Marshal for the Daytona 500 and delivered the starting command, "Gentlemen, start your engines."

Said Cage before the race: "I really want to enjoy each and every one of those words. I want to take my time with that. Those are probably my favorite words in all of sports."

Performing the NEXTEL Tribute To America was Kelly Clarkson, singing the national anthem was Big & Rich and serving as the Honorary Starter was Phil Parsons, brother of the late Benny Parsons.
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Standings

Up Next: California Speedway

The West Coast Premiere of NASCAR at California Speedway kicks off with the San Bernardino County 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night, February 23rd, the Stater Bros. 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday, February 24th and the Auto Club 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, February 25th.

Daytona 500 Race Results

Fin Str Car Driver Team Lap Status TLd LLd

1. 34 29 Kevin Harvick Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet 202 Running 2 4

2. 26 1 Mark Martin U.S. Army Chevrolet 202 Running 1 26

3. 7 31 Jeff Burton Cingular Wireless Chevrolet 202 Running

4. 22 9 Mike Wallace Miccosukee Resorts Chevrolet 202 Running

5. 35 6 David Ragan # AAA Ford 202 Running

6. 30 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge 202 Running

7. 28 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge 202 Running

8. 1 38 David Gilliland M & M's Ford 202 Running 1 18

9. 18 13 Joe Nemechek CertainTeed/Ginn Resorts Chevrolet 202 Running

10. 42 24 Jeff Gordon Dupont Chevrolet 202 Running

11. 6 40 David Stremme Coors Light Dodge 202 Running

12. 12 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet 202 Running

13. 33 41 Reed Sorenson Target Dodge 202 Running

14. 23 60 Boris Said SoBe No Fear Energy Drink Ford 202 Running

15. 39 7 Robby Gordon Jim Beam Ford 202 Running

16. 41 70 Johnny Sauter Yellow Transportation/Haas Chevrolet 202 Running

17. 38 14 Sterling Marlin Waste Management Chevrolet 202 Running

18. 11 7 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet 202 Running

19. 36 42 Juan Pablo Texaco/Havoline Dodge 202 Running

20. 17 25 Casey Mears National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet 202 Running

21. 27 43 Bobby Labonte Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge 202 Running

22. 43 44 Dale Jarrett UPS Toyota 202 Running

23. 14 99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford 202 Running

24. 8 5 Kyle Busch Carquest/Kellogg's Chevrolet 202 Running 1 4

25. 25 16 Greg Biffle Ameriquest Ford 202 Running

26. 2 88 Ricky Rudd Snickers Ford 202 Running

27. 10 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Ford 202 Running 1 6

28. 9 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Chevrolet 201 Running

29. 13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet 201 Running 2 13

30. 15 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Toyota 200 Running

31. 24 26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford 195 Accident

32. 5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet 195 Accident

33. 20 96 Tony Raines DLP HDTV Chevrolet 195 Running

34. 37 22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Toyota 186 Accident

35. 19 21 Kenny Schrader Little Debbie Snack Cakes Ford 185 Accident

36. 31 66 Jeff Green Best Buy/HAAS Automation Chevrolet 181 Running

37. 32 10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge 179 Running

38. 16 12 Ryan Newman Alltel Dodge 175 Engine 1 1

39. 21 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet 173 Accident

40. 40 0 David Reutimann Domino's Toyota 173 Accident

41. 4 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge 166 Running 3 95

42. 29 45 Kyle Petty Wells Fargo Dodge 160 Running

43. 3 20 Tony Stewart The Home Depot Chevrolet 152 Accident 2 35

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