Jamie McMurray Wins the 52nd Annual Daytona 500

Results from Daytona 500
1. 1. Jamie McMurray No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
2. 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Chevrolet
3. 3. Greg Biffle No. 16 Chevrolet
10. Juan Pablo Montoya No. 42 Target Chevrolet

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 14, 2010) - Jamie McMurray held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. during a second attempt at a green-white-checkered flag finish to win the 52nd running of the Daytona 500 for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet. The win came in McMurray’s first race back with owners Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates, making Ganassi the only team owner besides Roger Penske to win the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In addition it becomes the fourth Daytona 500 win for the Dale Earnhardt organization which also captured victories with Michael Waltrip in 2001 and 2003 and with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2004.

Sunday’s race was long, lasting over six hours, with two red flag delays lasting two and a half hours to repair a pothole in the asphalt between turns one and two and two attempts at a green-white-checkered flag finish. McMurray spun his tires on the restart on Lap 207 but got a push down the front stretch and through the first turn from third-place finisher Greg Biffle. Securing the top spot from Kevin Harvick on the backstretch, McMurray led the final two laps.

The win delivered Chevrolet its 21st victory in the Daytona 500, a record among manufacturers.

Teammate Juan Pablo Montoya had a strong race car all night in the No. 42 Target Chevrolet. He led twice for a total of two laps and finished 10th.

This was McMurray’s fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. It was also his second for the team after winning in his just his second career start at Charlotte (Fall, 2002) - setting a modern era record - when he replaced Sterling Marlin in the No. 40 car.

NASCAR heads out west next week to compete at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. The Auto Club 500 will take place Sunday, February 21st at 3:00 pm (ET). The race will air live on FOX and radio stations affiliated with MRN.