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500 Victory Lane
In the last couple of years our team has been to victory lane very little. It was almost like i had forgotten what it felt like. All that came back to me for about an hour on Sunday night. It was one of the longest and coolest things i ve ever been thru. There most have been 200 reporters and camera men standing in the bleachers for the victory lane celebration. It was like watching a super bowl post game except we were right in the middle of it. Newman was getting pulled all over the place to do pre scheduled interviews and all other stuff. You would have thought the president was coming. Either way it was cool.
One thing I was not aware of was the induction ceremony the morning after the race. I have mixed feelings about the whole timing of this. I decided to come home that night on the plain so that I could get my work done at the shop for my Tuesday meetings but most of the other guys stayed down in Daytona. Here s where my problem comes in. How are you gonna win the Daytona 500 on the 50th anniversary and then tell a bunch of racers to be in uniform and ready at 730 in the morning for a breakfast induction. For the most part everything went good and was fine, but when you got guys celebrating, which they should, all night, it makes it hard to have everyone looking there best the next morning. Some of the stories coming home from that night are classics.
Back at the shop everything was business as usual, with the exception of the trophy sitten on top of a tool box. I guess the trophy was brought back on the plain and put on a tool box so all the fans could see it and take pictures of it. I know most of the shop guys have gotten a picture in front of it. All in all its one of those things you might not ever get to do again so you better enjoy it. Who knows, we might go to Cali and gets us two in a row.
February 20, 2008 | Permalink
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Comments
Let me be the 1st to congratulate you on here. Great job winning the crapshoot known as the last 3 laps of the Daytona 500. Great teamwork shown by the Penske teammates, but , now ya'll owe him one!
Good things come to those who keep digging.
Posted by: clay | Feb 20, 2008 8:17:12 AM
You guys have been working hard and we were way overdue for a win...the fact that it came at Daytona was no fluke, we were strong in Oct. at Talladega. So yes celebrate the win :) I am looking forward to the season and I read a story where Roy said he got to sleep 6 hours and was focused on the task at hand...my comment is that Kurt went up a few notches in my mind by showing teamwork, something we have never had (Kind of glad its "Rusty's Last Call" in the Booth too)
Posted by: Georgia Boy Roy | Feb 20, 2008 8:58:15 AM
Congratulations Trent!!!!! I am so happy for the #12 team!!!! You guys have long deserved a win - and its even better that its the 50th Daytona 500!!!!!!!!!!
The 12 team needs to post those pictures of you guys with the trophy at the shop!!!!
Posted by: JenInIL | Feb 20, 2008 10:27:01 AM
Congrats Trent, you guys deserved it, Yall actually should have won 3 times last year. Look forward to the rest of the season.
Posted by: keith12 | Feb 20, 2008 10:59:36 AM
Sell-a-brate good times, come on!
Still celebrating here.
Posted by: Dave in the bend | Feb 20, 2008 11:53:47 AM
Well deserved win. I loved Ryan's dad. I remember him at the New Hampshire win. You can tell he is a great person.
Posted by: Sharon | Feb 20, 2008 1:37:05 PM
Congrats on the win! We had a household of CHEVY people in for the race but we were ALL yelling for Ryan to hold on to the lead! Although I am really happy when my guys win, I couldn't have been happier to have someone who hasn't won in awhile in VICTORY LANE! It's got to feel GREAT for your entire team! Thanks for putting on a GREAT show Sunday!
Posted by: KS 24-48 | Feb 20, 2008 3:17:02 PM
I am not a fan and not a hater, but that was a great win. The team work was incredible. Good luck with the season, and I hope that it is filled with a lot of great racing that was shown on sunday
Posted by: brian | Feb 20, 2008 3:22:49 PM
Quite the story you guys winning such a special Daytona 500, an un-popular teammate un-selfishly pushing Ryan to the pinnacle of racing fraternities, a racing family the entire country can be proud of including one of the most humble drivers to ever suit up(even when he has a bad race), a pit-crew that stayed together thru some very, very, tough times, and one of motorsports greatest owners finally achieving a 'plate win that eluded him as much as the great Dale Sr., a Crew Chief that left his dream job to care for his wife when she needed him the most. Your team deserved the hype Jr or Stewie would have garnered had they won, regardless you guys are true Champions.
Congratulations on the well deserved win, and thanks for being a team everybody can be proud to cheer for. Go Gettem'
Posted by: MoparDave | Feb 20, 2008 4:19:42 PM
Congratulations Trent. You all did such a great job and it was wonderful watching you all celebrate. You definitely deserve it. I really believe you will have more of those celebrations this year!
Posted by: Grace | Feb 20, 2008 4:19:51 PM
Wooooohooooooo!!!! Such an awesome thing to happen to yall!!! Congrats to the entire Alltel Team and Penske racing!!! We knew if we didn't give up, this day would come! Yall were awesome!!!!
Posted by: darlene | Feb 20, 2008 6:45:24 PM
Hey Trent,
When I called the speedway about the morning after ceremonies, thought about going out to try and look ya up. But, only so many tickets were allowed to actually get in so it was 2 late to get in line. Worked out fine since ya weren't there. lol
What a great victory, and a long time comming. If the Cup were awarded now.. you'd be the Champions!!
Keep diggin', looking fwd for more good results.
How did the new pit rule affect your pit stops?
Posted by: Larry | Feb 20, 2008 8:33:51 PM
WAY TO GO 12 TEAM!!! You didn't stay? I would've done anything to be there, and you were and didn't stay? What's up with that? LOL just kidding, I know you guys gotta get back to work and get on with the rest of the season!!! On to a championship!!!
Posted by: Toni | Feb 20, 2008 10:27:13 PM
Hey Trent, Congrats to your whole team. Can you believe it? If my driver couldn't win, I have to say there is no other team (ok well Mark Martin) I'd rather see win it. What a way to find your way back to Victory Lane. Congrats again. You guys rocked it. I loved the way Newman said that Kurt gave them a push from heaven. What a man. Anyways, see ya in Vegas!!!
Posted by: Kendria | Feb 21, 2008 12:39:41 AM
Congrats Trent!! Glad to see you guys get back to victory lane.
Posted by: AC | Feb 21, 2008 7:02:29 AM
Congratulations. The 12 team made it back to Victory Lane in spectacular fashion.
Posted by: M.B. Voelker | Feb 21, 2008 7:57:14 AM
I spent yesterday proudly adding a Ryan Newman page to my writing website at http://ozarkattitude.com
Ditto to everything everybody else said. Trent, you guys deserved this win. So much hard work obviously went into it. I don't think racefans who aren't #12 fans really can appreciate how this win was inevitable. But we do, and we are reveling in it.
Good luck in Cali and all the upcoming races. It might be nice to let somebody else win, once-in-awhile, but not too often.
Posted by: Carol Henrichs | Feb 21, 2008 11:01:43 AM
Just wanted to tell you and Ryan that I have been praying for him to be back in Victory Lane. The morning of the 500, I prayed for him to win. I had to bowl that evening so when I got down to the bowling alley, the lane I was supposed to be on was 12! I told my husband that it was a blessing and that Ryan was going to win and he did! Congrats and may God continue to shower you guys with blessings through this year (and years to come)!From: A Michigan Fan
Posted by: Alicia Sunday | Feb 21, 2008 12:51:28 PM
Congrats Trent to you and the whole Alltel #12 team. Ryan drove a great race, but without you guys behind him, doing what you do so well, he wouldn't have been able to do it. Would love to see some pictures and hear some stories from the night of the race. I have never given up on the Alltel Team or Ryan, taking a lot of razzing for it, but after the way Ryan finished last season, I had a feeling this season would be the one for the Alltel Team and Ryan. Keep up the good work and look forward to seeing you guys on pit road in Michigan. A very devoted Michigan Fan, Ryan has been the only #1 driver for me.
Posted by: Michelle | Feb 21, 2008 2:02:06 PM
That was an AMAZING RACE!!!! I nerver expected that kind of finish after Toyota dominated so much. Horay for Ryan!
I am surprised at how many NASCAR fans in NY are impressed with the COT and how it reacted in a restrictor plate race.
Hell, even the junk yards are getting in on the comments: http://junkncars.blogspot.com/
Posted by: John | Feb 22, 2008 12:53:00 PM
Hey Guys! Just wanted to say CONGRATS! one more time. I'm the one that was waiting in the pits for you after the race! I'm so looking forward to celebrating a whole lot more this season!!!
Posted by: RoseMary | Feb 22, 2008 9:19:37 PM
Krissie & Trent and of course Ryan. A super super way to break a slump. Congratulations. I read that Ryan was sick. What a way to have to celebrate. I got sick on Monday night so I guess I can blame it on Ryan. I was so proud. All kidding aside, Good Luck and Blessings in CA. Win one for my husband Fred who is having his sixth cancer surgery on Monday at Shands Medical Center in Gainsville, FL. P.S. I'm family friends of the Pennbrooke Branch. You know where that is.
Posted by: Ethel | Feb 22, 2008 9:32:09 PM
It is plane not plain.
Posted by: Pete | Feb 23, 2008 7:01:59 AM
Hey Trent!
Sorry I am so late in responding to your blog. No team deserved to be in Victory Lane for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 than the #12 team did! Can you tell I am bias? ~LOL~ It was so awesome to see you guys so joyous when Ryan crossed the finish line!
You guys are still my heroes and thank you for a job well done! I still cherish the memories and am so thankful for the kindness and time you gave to me at race morning at Atlanta in March of 2007. We all knew that it was just a matter of time before y'all got back to VL and for this race, it was all the more special and worth the wait!
Please let the other guys know how much they mean to us fans, without y'all Ryan wouldn't be as competitive! Thanks again for all the hard work and dedication that y'all have put forth for the #12 team, Penske and Ryan. Keep up the good work!
Whoo~Hoo! Daytona 500 Champions!!
God Bless,
mrsmopar12
Posted by: mrsmopar12 | Feb 25, 2008 9:04:24 PM
Dear Trent and Ryan,
you guys did awsome at Daytona, our whole family was screaming for Newman to win. It was so loud that all of Utah new that Ryan won. I told you that I would be good luck for Rocket Ryan. I am excited for the rest of the season. Tell Ryan he did great at California to. cant wait to ride snowmobils again. Tell Ryan to win the Autisim Speaks 400 for me.
Good Luck your good friend Micah.
tell Ashley and Khrissy hi for me.
Posted by: Micah | Feb 25, 2008 11:32:05 PM
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