Courtesy video. Ryan Newman won the Daytona 500 on the final lap with drafting help from teammate Kurt Busch to beat Tony Stewart coming off turn 4.
DAYTONA BEACH -- With four laps to go in February's 50th running of the Daytona 500, Tony Stewart had the lead, which he kept, until coming off turn 3 of the final lap when Ryan Newman took the high side and with a push from teammate Kurt Busch, beat Stewart to the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway.
Newman's first victory also marked the very first victory for car-owner Roger Penske in a restrictor-plate race in NASCAR, and at Daytona.
Stewart had to settle for third with Busch finishing second.
Newman described the assist from Busch as "a push from heaven."
It was Newman's only win of the 2008 season.
Kyle Busch finished fourth in the 500, followed by Reed Sorenson, Elliott Sadler, Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon, Dale Earnhart Jr. and Greg Biffle rounding out the top 10. Three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon and two-time defending cup Champion Jimmie Johnson were not among those in contention, but Johnson would win his third consecutive overall series championship.