Stewart leads Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Tony Stewart, winner of Saturday's Nationwide Series opener at Daytona International Speedway, went to the front of the 43-car field for the 51st Daytona 500 on Lap 54 after starting the race at the rear.

Stewart, who qualified fifth fastest, went to the rear of the field for the start of the race after he was forced to start a backup car following a practice crash with his teammate Ryan Newman.

Stewart, impressively, made up the difference by charging his way to the front over the next 54 laps.

Joey Logano was running 25th.

After 65 laps, the running order of the top 5:

1. Tony Stewart
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Carl Edwards
5. Kyle Busch