Dominance at Daytona: What it Meant to the Dodge Boys and the Million Dollar Promise

By Mike Delahanty

Manager, Dodge Motorsports

**Programming note: Listen to Dodge driver and 2008 Daytona 500 Champion Ryan Newman on the Jim Rome Show today in the 1-2p EST hour…click here for station information***

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Unlike most sports whose seasons culminate in a major game or event, NASCAR starts its racing season with the biggest and most prized race - the Daytona 500. Long billed as the “great American Race” the Daytona 500 starts the long and grueling season that crowns a champion after a 10 race playoff just before Thanksgiving. A win at Daytona is the crown jewel for any Driver, Team and Brand. And since this was the 50th running of the 500, this was a special one to win.

Ryan Newman’s win Sunday on the Golden Anniversary of the Great American Race was special not only for Team Owner Roger Penske but for Dodge, too.

It was Team Penske’s first and the only racing jewel that Roger had not won. Dodge’s last Daytona 500 win came in 2002, and after last year’s disappointing season, it was a win that was sorely needed.

But just as important as Ryan’s victory was the Domination that Dodge displayed in the finishing order of the race. Pick any measure, first and second, 6 of the top 8, 8 of the top 15 - any way you look at it says “Domination.”

This dominating finish just didn’t happen by chance. While it’s true that the Super Speedway restrictor-plate races do produce some of the most exciting finishes, there is a strategy to be at the right place at the right time. While the Dodges never took off to a commanding lead early in the race, a number of the Dodge drivers moved up to the lead packs and hovered there for the inevitable final lap shootout. The key as to stay out of trouble and make adjustments on the car to match the changing track conditions.

And all 4 of the Dodge teams did just that. The Penske Cars of Newman and Busch had been blazing fast during Speedweeks along with Reed Sorenson’s Ganassi/Target car. The Gillett-Evernham cars of Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler were strong in the 150 qualifiers and practice. So when it got down to the 30 lap to go point, the Dodge Boys were all there in the hunt.

Drafting teamwork would be the key to a win no matter what brand.. But for the Dodge Boys, the grouind work for not only this Daytona drafting dates back to last year and the leadership of Bob Nardelli. Bob’s passion for NASCAR is one of the key driving forces behind the Dodge dominance at Daytona… On race day morning, Bob met with Team owners Roger Penske, Richard Petty, Chip Ganassi and George Gillett. While I can’t share the dynamics of the meeting, the message was clear - team up to deliver a Dodge win today and throughout the season. And to show the commitment from Dodge, he offered a $1 million bonus to any Dodge Team that won.

For those of us that have worked on the Dodge NASCAR program we knew our cars were just as fast and our drivers just as good as Chevy, Ford or Toyota. We just needed it all to come together and work in harmony.

And Man did it! As a racing fanatic since I was 10 years old, standing in the Daytona 500 winners circle is a dream come true. The biggest race if of the year belongs to the Dodge Boys. No doubt that more DB wins will be delivered in the 35 races that follow.