The 2008 Daytona 500 was supposed to be dominated by the Joe Gibbs Toyota drivers and the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets. They had won everything else during Speed Weeks and were expected to sort out the 50th Daytona 500 between them. Apparently nobody told the Penske Dodge drivers Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch that they were not supposed to win the 2008 Daytona 500.
Tony Stewart held the lead when the white flag flew.

Tony made his Toyota as wide as he could but the two Penske Dodge drivers got past on the outside line. Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch crossed the line first and second. The Toyota drivers Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch finished third and fourth.