DAYTONA BEACH, Florida Feb 24 (Reuters) – NASCAR favourite Dale Earnhardt Jr predicted Danica Patrick will “make a lot of history” in the sport after she finished eighth on Sunday in just her second start in the Daytona 500.

Patrick, the first woman to start the race on pole, went into the final lap in third place but fell back five places as Jimmie Johnson held on for victory ahead of Earnhardt Jr.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) – Jimmie Johnson added to his place in NASCAR’s list of greats by winning his second Daytona 500 on Sunday while Danica Patrick placed eighth, the best-ever finish for a woman in the ‘Great American Race’.

Five-times Sprint Cup champion Johnson led through the last 10 laps to finish ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr and the 54-year-old Mark Martin.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Feb 24 (Reuters) – Jimmie Johnson added to his place in NASCAR’s list of greats by winning his second Daytona 500 on Sunday while Danica Patrick placed eighth, the best-ever finish for a woman in the ‘Great American Race’.

Five-times Sprint Cup champion Johnson led through the last 10 laps to finish ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr and the 54-year-old Mark Martin.

DAYTONA BEACH, Feb 24 (Reuters) – NASCAR officials ran the Daytona 500 as scheduled on Sunday, saying there were confident of spectator safety after Saturday’s crash that injured more than 30 fans and raised the possibility of lawsuits.

The race began at 1 p.m. EST and in typical fashion, the always incident-packed Daytona 500 saw an early collision on lap 33 with nine cars involved.

DAYTONA BEACH (Reuters) – The Daytona 500 NASCAR race will go ahead on Sunday despite a crash on Saturday that injured more than 20 fans, questions over the safety of the famous speedway and the possibility of lawsuits.

Officials said they had repaired the fencing that was damaged after the pile-up which sent debris flying into the crowd and injuring fans on the final lap of Saturday’s second-tier Nationwide race.

DAYTONA BEACH, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The Daytona 500 NASCAR race will go ahead on Sunday despite a crash on Saturday that injured more than 20 fans, questions over the safety of the famous speedway and the possibility of lawsuits.

Officials said they had repaired the fencing that was damaged after the pile-up which sent debris flying into the crowd and injuring fans on the final lap of Saturday’s second-tier Nationwide race.

By Simon Evans

(Reuters) – A pile-up at the Daytona speedway on Saturday injured at least 28 fans after a 10-car crash sent car debris, including a tire, flying into the crowd in the final lap of the Nationwide NASCAR race.

Race officials said 14 fans were sent to nearby hospitals and another 14 were treated at the Florida track, which will host the prestigious Daytona 500 race on Sunday.

Feb 23 (Reuters) – A fiery pile-up at the Daytona speedway on Saturday injured at least 28 fans and a driver after the 10-car crash sent car debris, including a tire, flying into the crowd in the final lap of the Nationwide NASCAR race.

Race officials said 14 fans were sent to nearby hospitals and another 14 were treated at the Florida track, which will host the prestigious Daytona 500 race on Sunday.

By Simon Evans

(Reuters) – When Danica Patrick made her Daytona 500 debut last year there were some who wondered if the media circus that surrounded her at NASCAR’s top event was a tad excessive.

She was only the third woman to compete in what is known as “The Great American Race” but some voices in the media wondered if she merited more attention than more established drivers such as five-time Sprint Cup winner Jimmie Johnson.

Feb 22 (Reuters) – When Danica Patrick made her Daytona 500 debut last year there were some who wondered if the media circus that surrounded her at NASCAR’s top event was a tad excessive.

She was only the third woman to compete in what is known as “The Great American Race” but some voices in the media wondered if she merited more attention than more established drivers such as five-time Sprint Cup winner Jimmie Johnson.