William Byron became the first driver in five years to win the Daytona 500 consecutively, maneuvering past a major crash on the race's last lap.
Byron was in seventh position with half a lap remaining when all the cars ahead of him unexpectedly crashed, allowing him to glide through as the path cleared.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series to clinch consecutive victories at the prestigious Daytona 500 since Denny Hamlin accomplished the feat in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
This achievement not only underscores the driver's exceptional skill and strategic prowess behind the wheel but also highlights the intense competition and unpredictability that characterize this iconic race. In the 2020 event, Denny Hamlin was in a strong position, leading the pack when a significant crash altered the dynamics of the race, ultimately impacting his chances for a third consecutive win.
The ability to secure back-to-back titles at such a renowned event as the Daytona 500 is a testament to the driver's consistency, the effectiveness of their team, and the intricate planning that goes into preparing for one of the most challenging races on the NASCAR calendar. Such victories resonate deeply within the racing community and are celebrated as a high-water mark of achievement in a sport where every second counts and the competition is fierce.
“Some good fortune, but just trusted my instinct on the last lap there,” Byron said. “That worked out in our favor. … I can’t honestly believe that, but we’re here.”
Tyler Reddick secured second place after trailing Byron through the crash, while seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson achieved third, marking his best finish since stepping back from full-time racing.
During the white flag lap in overtime, Cole Custer collided with Hamlin, causing his second multi-car "Big One" in just 10 laps.
Previously, with five laps remaining, a severe crash extended the race into overtime. Custer collided with Christopher Bell, who was contending for the lead, and pushed him into the group.
Multiple cars collided, and Ryan Preece, who experienced a frightening airborne crash at Daytona in 2023, flipped once more after performing a wheelie, crashing upside down into the wall. He was unharmed.
“As the car sped off and everything went silent, my daughter was all I could think about,” Preece stated. “I was fortunate to walk away, but we were nearing a point where someone might not have been able to.”
The incident also involved Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson, both of whom only require the Daytona 500 to finish their set of NASCAR crown jewels. Bubba Wallace, who had a competitive car, was also part of the incident.
The latter half of the race was relatively uneventful until the competitors started fiercely competing with 30 laps left. Tensions rose and reached a peak with 15 laps to go when Joey Logano attempted to create a third lane. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moved down late to block the move, leaving Logano stranded.
It appeared neither Stenhouse nor Logano were willing to give an inch at that point, and it cost them both, as Logano ended up wrecking with Stenhouse. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch and several other drivers who had been strong contenders to win just moments before also were involved.
The race faced another weather-related delay at the start, a recurring issue this decade. Similar to the 2020 event, President Donald Trump visited the track, only for rain to follow soon after.
Only nine green-flag laps occurred before a cold front passed through, resulting in over four hours of delays. Eventually, after two distinct red-flag periods and extensive track drying, racing resumed.
AJ Allmendinger was the first to retire from the race on Lap 42 due to a sudden engine problem. After competing in the Xfinity Series last year, Allmendinger is returning to full-time racing in the Cup Series.
The initial multi-car incident took place on Lap 63 when Ross Chastain abruptly decelerated, prompting Hamlin to brake in order to avoid a collision. However, Zane Smith collided with the rear of Hamlin's car, causing Hamlin to half-spin but manage to regain control, while Smith lost control and crashed into Josh Berry, who was participating in his first race driving the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 car.
Logano secured victory in the first stage under caution due to that incident. However, at the restart of Stage 2, it was Logano who initiated the first significant crash.
When the cars received the green flag for Stage 2, Logano's engine unexpectedly slowed, creating an accordion effect that caused the entire top line to bunch up. Chastain was forced out of line, leading to a crash that involved twelve cars. This incident eliminated four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and former NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. from the race. Chastain was also unable to continue due to crash damage.
Logano, having led 43 of the initial 71 laps with what was likely the quickest car, eventually identified his engine problem: a piece of a plastic bag had entered the No. 22 car’s throttle body. The team managed to repair it sufficiently for him to secure a top-10 finish in Stage 2.
Blaney, who is Logano’s teammate at Team Penske, secured victory in Stage 2 by pushing fellow Penske teammate Austin Cindric into the lead on the final lap. He then received a push from his close friend Chase Elliott, allowing him to narrowly beat Cindric at the finish line.
In summary, Penske dominated the initial two stages and was in the lead for 142 of the first 186 laps until the major crash involving Stenhouse and Logano occurred.
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