Ryan Newman's victory at Sunday's Daytona 500 was a ratings winner for Fox. No doubt helped by the rush of publicity for Dale Earnhardt Jr. — and his presence at the front of the pack late in the race — the telecast drew 17.75 million viewers. The competitive nature of the race was clearly a big draw. The lead changed hands 42 times with 16 different drivers in front at some point during the race (the second highest in race history).Newman, a graduate of Purdue University joked that his education may have played a part in his victory: "I can't sit here and say I won the Daytona 500 because I'm a vehicle structural engineer, but I'd say it definitely helped." Most of all, he was grateful to his teammate Kurt Busch for giving him a last-lap tap that helped Newman edge past Tony Stewart. "Kurt was the push from heaven that made it all happen," Newman said. "I have to thank Kurt first and foremost." Busch finished second, Stewart was third, while Earnhardt was ninth and two-t...
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Various-grade celebrities have already attempted dancing and skating on reality TV shows, and now a fresh slate of would-be winners will turn to driving, mashing the gas for an ABC series set to air this summer.A dozen stars have signed on for the Fast Cars & Superstars—Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race, with would-be leadfoots including athletes (2007 Australian Open tennis champion Serena Williams, bullrider Ty Murray, WWE champ John Cena) and performers (singer Jewel, actors William Shatner and
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