Denny Hamlin won the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 Monday night, prevailing over Ryan Blaney and Ryan Newman in overtime to take his third win in the Great American Race in just five years.
Hamlin’s impressive performance was overshadowed by a last-lap wreck involving the No. 6 Ford Mustang of Ryan Newman that left the experienced 42-year-old driver in serious condition. Lining up on the front row beside Hamlin for the final overtime restart, Newman got jumped by the faster No. 11 Toyota Camry and began working with the No. 12 Ford of Ryan Blaney to reel Hamlin back in. As they crossed start-finish for the final lap, Blaney helped give Newman a huge run through Turns 1 and 2 and continued to push him down the backstretch, giving both drivers a small lead over Hamlin as they entered into Turns 3 and 4.
As Newman and Blaney approached the home stretch tri-oval, Newman got turned around by Blaney, sending him hard into the outside wall and flipping his car over on its roof. The No. 6 Ford was then hit hard on the driver’s side by the No. 32 of Corey Lajoie, who had nowhere to go to avoid him, sending it sliding on its roof in a sea of sparks. Medical crews attended the scene and worked to extract Newman from his battered vehicle before transporting him to the nearby Halifax Medical Center. According to a statement released by his Roush Fenway Racing team, Newman is in serious condition, though doctors say his injuries are not life-threatening. The team says it appreciates fans’ thoughts and prayers and is asking they respect the privacy of the Newman family at this time.
Blaney finished second overall behind Hamlin, while Chris Buscher, David Ragan and Kevin Harvick were third, fourth and fifth, respectively. The top-finishing Chevrolet driver was fan-favorite underdog Brendan Gaughan, who finished eighth in his No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 after starting on the very last row in 39th. Gaughan, who will retire from professional racing after 2020, is running a four-race campaign this year that will also see him contest the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona and both rounds at Talladega.
Click here for full results from the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 and check out the highlight video embedded below for a complete rundown of the race.
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Comments
NASCAR has got to put a stop to blocking like indy car has done. it is what causes most of these big wrecks
It’s racing, or supposed to be. There is plenty of track to make a pass if your car is faster (without the draft). Blaney should be DQ’ed.
This is the direct fault of impatient undisciplined drivers having less regard for their fellow drivers well being (lives) then their own selfishness to win as well as NASCAR. They will do anything to increase revenue, If Newman were to have died in this crash NASCAR would be singing the same song as they were singing 19 years ago!
It is obviously not a good idea to start the season off with a “speedway” event with new rules that can sometimes change the way cars drive as well as drivers moving around.
The National Association Spec Car Auto Racing should just make the Daytona 500 the championship “super bowl” already. After all the season didn’t always start in Daytona and they have a “post season”?🤢 puke!
Hope Ryan Newman makes a full recovery!
Too bad the Orange Pustule wasn’t driving Newman’s Ford.
I don’t get the “connect” of the heritage of NASCAR and Toyota.
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday??
“I bought a Camry ’cause it won the 500…”
Ryans car slid to a stop right in front of us, I’m just glad he is ok because that thing was compacted. It’s too bad that crash really overshadowed the last 40 laps or so of that race, it was crazy with all the yellows, stopped the cars twice, extra laps (twice), cars going by smoking, dragging parts, parts missing, etc. It was an awesome show overall (including bands, vendors, sponsors, etc)…first time I’ve been to a NASCAR race and it is NOTHING like watching on TV. If you have never gone in person make sure you do, its awesome!! Best wishes to Ryan for a full recovery.