As promised, the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series opened with a bang, a real big one actually. In a race that will go down in the record books as one of the sport's best, Kevin Harvick charged past veteran Mark Martin coming through Turn 4 on the last lap, while mayhem ensued behind them.

Finding themselves in a drag race to the checkered flag, Harvick was able to pin Martin's #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet underneath him to capture the win by .020 seconds.

In one of his best Daytona 500 drives, Martin again found himself the runner-up. After 'retiring' from Roush Racing last year, Martin has moved over to Ginn Racing to help Development Driver, Regan Smith. Martin brings invaluable experience, knowledge and respect to a team looking for the future. Martin proved this fact quite clearly this Sunday.

Remaining quiet for most of the day, Martin and his Ginn Racing team won the race off pit road following a Lap 174 caution. In the closing laps, it appeared Martin's biggest challenge would come from the youngster, Kyle Busch, who was tucked right behind him. Busch had proved to be one of the strongest cars during speed-weeks, by running in the front for most of the day.

However, using a strong push from Matt Kenseth and teammate Jeff Burton, Harvick powered his way around he top of the race track going into Turn 3. As Harvick moved to the outside, Martin's car bobbled, setting up a drag race to the start-finish line. Behind them, Kyle Busch lost control of his #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet, taking along many others in a last-lap "Big One."

NASCAR Officials allowed Harvick and Martin to race to the Checkered Flag before throwing the Caution Flag. Six years after losing Dale Earnhardt on the Last Lap of the same race, car owner Richard Childress found himself in Victory Lane.

Appearing on Sunday's WindTunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED, Childress explained how Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress Racing were poised to win the championship in 2001. (Remember, Earnhardt finished 2nd in the points in 2000.) Those plans took a back seat after the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt.

In Victory Lane, Kevin Harvick commented on how his off-season go-karting had paid off. What a follow up to an unforgettable year in which he dominated the Busch Series, winning the Championship, as well as finishing a strong third in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

This weekend Harvick became the fourth driver to pull off the Busch Series victory and the Daytona 500 in the same weekend. The controversy of Speedweeks '07 continued after the Checkered Flag fell.

Many viewers calling into WindTunnel questioned NASCAR's decision to let Harvick and Martin race to the start-finish line, instead of throwing the caution and freezing the field. Consensus amongst the media guests - Mike Joy and Dr. Dick Berggern - seemed to approve of NASCAR's decision.

For the past few years, NASCAR has frozen the field when the caution flag comes out. Scoring monitors situated around the rack determine the running order at that time. The NASCAR officials waited to throw the caution until the leaders had crossed the start-finish line, well after the wreck began. Many view this decision as inconsistent and feel the race should have been yellow flagged as the crash began, exiting Turn 4.

Marred by controversy, the 2007 Speedweeks saw NASCAR officials crack down on cheating like never before. Five teams were penalized following Bud Pole Qualifying and veteran Jeff Gordon's #24 Dupont Chevrolet was found to be too low after his win in the second Gatorade Duel 150.

The five teams penalized after Bud Pole Qualifying were fined money, points were deducted and the team's crew chiefs were suspended. Jeff Gordon's situation was different. Gordon''s failure to pass post-race inspection was deemed to be the result of a part failure. He was allowed to keep the win, however was forced to start 42nd in the Daytona 500. Some viewed this decision as favoring Gordon and being inconsistent with their previous penalties earlier in the week.

This question of consistency continued to be debated following the finish of the race. All in all, this year's running of the Great American Race lived up to, and exceeded all expectations. Although controversy may surround it, the Daytona 500 saw amazing racing, right down to the last laps. The ending was spectacular and will go down in the NASCAR history books as one of the greatest. The best part of it all: we get to go to California next week.