Dodge Dominates Daytona

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

Ryan Newman's victory on the Golden Anniversary of the Great American Race was special not only for Team Owner Roger Penske, but for Dodge, too. It was only remaining racing jewel that Team Penske had not yet won. Dodge's last Daytona 500 win came in 2002, and after last year's troubled 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 out of the top 8, 8 out of the top 15 -- any way you look at, it spells 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 being at the right place at the right time. And even though none of the Dodges commanded an early lead in the race, several of the Dodge drivers managed to maneuver their Chargers into the lead packs and hover there for the inevitable final lap shootout. The key was to stay out of trouble and to continue making adjustments to the car to match the ever-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 Speedweek, 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 during practice. So when it got down to just 30 laps to go, the Dodge Boys were all there in the hunt.

Drafting teamwork is one of the keys to any NASCAR win, no matter what the brand. But for the Dodge Boys, the ground work for this spectacular drafting finale dates back to last year and to the leadership of Bob Nardelli.

Bob's passion for NASCAR is one of the key driving forces behind the Dodge Boys' dominance at Daytona. On race day morning, Bob met with Team owners Roger Penske, Richard Petty, Chip Ganassi and George Gillett. And while I can't share the dynamics of the meeting, the message was clear - team up to deliver a Dodge win, not only today but throughout the rest of the season. And to demonstrate to them all the committment from Dodge, he offered a $1 million bonus to any Dodge Team that won.

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

As a racing fanatic since I was 10 years old, standing in the Daytona 500 winner's circle was a dream come true. The biggest race of the year belongs to the Dodge Boys. And I have no doubt that more DB wins will be delivered throughout the year in the 35 races that follow.

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