No. 48 Team Celebrates Second Daytona 500 Triumph at Champion’s Breakfast

No. 48 Team Celebrates Second Daytona 500 Triumph at Champion’s Breakfast

The Daytona 500 Championship Team  Photo - Daytona International Speedway

The Daytona 500 Championship Team
Photo – Daytona International Speedway

Following his second victory in the “Great American Race,” driver Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and owner Rick Hendrick inducted the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet into the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building during Monday’s annual Champion’s Breakfast.

“The night was great,” Johnson said of the celebration. “We had a lot of fun in the infield. I think the security guys knew we were here and said, ‘Nice job celebrating, now you guys just need to slow down a little bit.’ ”

Johnson’s late night celebration might have gone well, but his immediate celebration after taking the checkered flag wasn’t as successful. His burn out in the tri-oval grass actually damaged the front end of the No. 48 car that is now on display in the indoor Gatorade Victory Lane at the “World Center of Racing.” Continue reading

Jimmie Johnson Denies Wrecking On Purpose

Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win. Photo - Chris O'Meara  AP

Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win.
Photo – Chris O’Meara AP

Jimmie Johnson celebrated his second Daytona 500 win by spinning through the grass Sunday, just like many have done before him. But he tore up his front bumper in the process of celebrating. Some have questioned if Johnson wrecked the car on purpose?

In October of 2010, Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson received criticism after radio communication at Talladega. Caught on pre-race video inside the car, Knaus leaned into the window of Johnson’s car and told him to damage the back of the car by hitting something during or after the race to make sure the car passed inspection. Continue reading