Daytona 500 Winners

Bill Sullivan
February 15, 2009

NASCAR is the only sport that starts the season with its biggest event. The tradition-rich Daytona 500 is the NASCAR Super Bowl, drawing the year’s highest TV ratings and some of the most boisterous crowds.

That puts considerable pressure on drivers and teams to hit the track running with the fastest cars, nimblest crews and most competitive drivers. Seasons can be made or broken before the circuit leaves Florida.

Who has been most ready to break from the gate early?

Here are your last 10 Daytona 500 champions, with average speed, money won, and car type:

2009 — Matt Kenseth (Race shortened to 152 laps by rain)

2008 — Ryan Newman, 152.762 mph, $1,506,040 (Dodge)

2007 — Kevin Harvick, 149.336 mph, $1,510,469 (Chevrolet)

2006 — Jimmie Johnson, 142.667 mph, $1,505,124 (Chevrolet)

2005 — Jeff Gordon, 135.173 mph, $1,497,154 (Chevrolet)

2004 — Dale Earnhardt, Jr., 156.345 mph, $1,495,070 (Chevrolet)

2003 – Michael Waltrip, 161,783 mph, $1,331,185 (Chevrolet)

2002 — Ward Burton, 142.971 mph, $1,409,017 (Dodge)

2001 — Michael Waltrip, 161.783 mph, $1,331,185 (Chevrolet)

2000 — Dale Jarrett, 155.669 mph, $1,277,975 (Ford)