(CNN) -- Racing at the Daytona International Speedway can be like playing the lottery against 42 other drivers who all have a ticket, all seem to have an equal shot at winning.
While luck can certainly help, so does experience, something Jimmie Johnson put to use as the laps wound down in NASCAR's season-opening and most prestigious race of the season.
Johnson won the Daytona 500 on Sunday, edging out Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished second for the third time in four years.
Johnson, who won the race for the second time, led 17 laps on the track where speeds are limited by a restrictor plate. The result is close racing, with cars separated by hundredths of a second.
It's a race that often involves a big wreck near the end, so Sunday drivers were content to line up one by- ne and go around and a round and around for the first 180 laps. Then Johnson took over.
"I had a lot of confidence leading the train," Johnson said of being the first car in line as drivers raced around the 2 1/2-mile track. "I knew I had a fast car."
Bleacher Report: Johnson finds way to win
His crew chief, Chad Knaus said that despite the uncertainty of racing this season with the latest generation of NASCAR cars -- which are lighter and sleeker -- they knew for weeks what they wanted to do.
"Jimmie did a great job of following that plan," said Knaus, who sat out the team's 2006 Daytona 500 win because of a suspension.
Bleacher Report's snap reaction
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Danica Patrick has made racing history, becoming the first woman in the history of NASCAR to win the pole for any race. Here, Patrick sits in her car during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. This slide show looks back at Patrick's exciting career through the years. Patrick sits in her car during the Open Test in 2005 in Phoenix. Patrick speaks with her crew during practice for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2005 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. From left: Vitor Meira, Patrick and Tony Kanaan pose for a photograph in 2005 in Times Square. Patrick looks on during Pole Day Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2005. Patrick waits during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas. Patrick rounds the track during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005. Patrick is seen driving a Ferrari during the previews to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2005 in Indianapolis. Actor Patrick Dempsey and Danica Patrick make their presentation at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in 2005 in Hollywood. Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day in 2006 in Homestead, Florida. Patrick walks the runway during a Marie Claire and Tissot fall fashion preview show at the Fashion Show Mall in 2006 in Las Vegas. Patrick drives during practice for the Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix in 2005 in Sonoma, California. Patrick prepares to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. Patrick prepares during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 550k in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas. Patrick waits to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. Tony Kanaan, right, and Patrick celebrate after placing first and second in the Detroit Indy Grand Prix in 2007 in Detroit. Patrick is seen during practice for the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 in 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Patrick gets ready for practice for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County in 2008 in California. Patrick walks the runway at the 10th Annual Gridiron Glamour Show in 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Patrick poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Motegi, Japan. Patrick poses for a portrait during media day at Barber Motorsports Park in 2009 in Leeds, Alabama. Patrick waits during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2009. Patrick in car No. 7 leads a group during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. A detail shot of Patrick's shoes on the grid before the New England 200 in 2010 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Patrick loses control of her car during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010. Patrick signs autographs during qualifying for the CARFAX 250 in 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Patrick, left, drives next to Dan Wheldon during practice for the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 in 2010 in Homestead, Florida. (Wheldon died in 2011 at the Las Vegas Indy 300). Patrick attends an Auto Club Speedway and Tissot's event in 2010 in Hollywood. Patrick pits during the Dollar General 300 in 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day at Daytona International Speedway in 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Patrick waits in the rain while her car is covered during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2011. Patrick speaks to a crew member in the garage at Daytona International Speedway in 2012. Patrick gets out of her car after qualifying for the Daytona 500 in 2012. Patrick sits in her car in the garage area during practice for the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 in 2012 in Darlington, South Carolina. Patrick drives during practice for the History 300 in 2012 in Concord, North Carolina. Patrick drives as flames shoot from the back of her car after an incident in the AdvoCare 500 in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. Patrick applies make-up before an interview during the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Patrick speaks to the media after qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years HIDE CAPTION << < 
Patrick sits in her car during the Open Test in 2005 in Phoenix. 
Patrick speaks with her crew during practice for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2005 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. 
From left: Vitor Meira, Patrick and Tony Kanaan pose for a photograph in 2005 in Times Square. 
Patrick looks on during Pole Day Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2005. 
Patrick waits during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas. 
Patrick rounds the track during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005. 
Patrick is seen driving a Ferrari during the previews to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2005 in Indianapolis. 
Actor Patrick Dempsey and Danica Patrick make their presentation at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in 2005 in Hollywood. 
Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day in 2006 in Homestead, Florida. 
Patrick walks the runway during a Marie Claire and Tissot fall fashion preview show at the Fashion Show Mall in 2006 in Las Vegas. 
Patrick drives during practice for the Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix in 2005 in Sonoma, California. 
Patrick prepares to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. 
Patrick prepares during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 550k in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas. 
Patrick waits to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. 
Tony Kanaan, right, and Patrick celebrate after placing first and second in the Detroit Indy Grand Prix in 2007 in Detroit. 
Patrick is seen during practice for the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 in 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
Patrick gets ready for practice for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County in 2008 in California. 
Patrick walks the runway at the 10th Annual Gridiron Glamour Show in 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. 
Patrick poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Motegi, Japan. 
Patrick poses for a portrait during media day at Barber Motorsports Park in 2009 in Leeds, Alabama. 
Patrick waits during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2009. 
Patrick in car No. 7 leads a group during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. 
A detail shot of Patrick's shoes on the grid before the New England 200 in 2010 in Loudon, New Hampshire. 
Patrick loses control of her car during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010. 
Patrick signs autographs during qualifying for the CARFAX 250 in 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan. 
Patrick, left, drives next to Dan Wheldon during practice for the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 in 2010 in Homestead, Florida. (Wheldon died in 2011 at the Las Vegas Indy 300). 
Patrick attends an Auto Club Speedway and Tissot's event in 2010 in Hollywood. 
Patrick pits during the Dollar General 300 in 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. 
Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day at Daytona International Speedway in 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. 
Patrick waits in the rain while her car is covered during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2011. 
Patrick speaks to a crew member in the garage at Daytona International Speedway in 2012. 
Patrick gets out of her car after qualifying for the Daytona 500 in 2012. 
Patrick sits in her car in the garage area during practice for the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 in 2012 in Darlington, South Carolina. 
Patrick drives during practice for the History 300 in 2012 in Concord, North Carolina. 
Patrick drives as flames shoot from the back of her car after an incident in the AdvoCare 500 in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. 
Patrick applies make-up before an interview during the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida. 
Patrick speaks to the media after qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years Danica Patrick through the years HIDE CAPTION << < 
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38 > >> Photos: Female driver Danica Patrick Danica Patrick, the first woman to win the pole position at the Daytona 500, led three times, including five laps under green -- also becoming the first woman to lead a lap at the race not under a yellow flag caution. She finished eighth, the highest finish ever for a female driver at the race.
"At the end of the day, it was a solid day," she said. "We stayed basically in the top 10 all day, so it was nice."
Crew chief Tony Gibson beamed after the race.
"She did great under pressure," he said.
Bleacher Report: Danica Patrick proves her chops
Earnhardt did his best to earn his second win in the "Great American Race," but his last-lap charge came up short. With just over a mile to go, Earhardt, followed by veteran driver Mark Martin, went low on the track. With Martin's car pushing Earnhardt's the two pushed into contention, but Johnson maneuvered in front of his teammate Earnhardt.
The 54-year-old Martin crossed the finish line third.
"We just kinda ran out of steam out of (turn) four," Earnhardt said. "We made a good move, but there just was not enough race track."
Some of the fans who were injured by flying debris Saturday during a crash late in the Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 were to attend the Daytona 500, speedway president Joie Chitwood said Sunday morning.
At least 28 fans were injured when more than a dozen cars piled up in the final curve of Saturday's race. Some of the debris went over a 22-foot-high fence that was built in 2010, and some of it went through holes as the fence was mangled when a car slammed into it and bounced back onto the track.
Saturday's wreck occurred when several closely packed cars were jostling for position at top speeds of about 175 mph. They got tangled up, setting off a dangerous chain reaction that ensnared several vehicles.
Driver Kyle Larson's vehicle ended up flying into a fence that separates the track from spectators. The car broke into pieces, including tires and a fiery engine.
Larson walked away from the crash, even after the front part of his No. 32 car was gone. He and the other nine drivers involved told reporters that they were checked at a medical tent on the Daytona infield and released.
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