It was an action-packed and intense showdown at Daytona International Speedway yesterday for the 67th Daytona 500. Despite several hours of rain delays, the Great American Race pressed onward. Like in the past, the Great American Race reflected the spirit of the American dream and a desire to bring that to the track.
There was no way to predict who would win the race. Strong contenders like Bubba Wallace, who won this week’s Duel, are considered among the tops. However, it was an all-out battle between No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron and Austin Cindric, No. 2 for Team Penske. However, several other strong contenders stole the show.
Daytona 500 Stages 1 Recap
Rick Ware Racing’s No. 01 Corey LaJoie was inches away, and No. 24 William Byron was inches away, fighting for the lead. Shortly after the green flag was dropped, Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric become neck-in-neck until 23xL’s Wallace thrusts Briscoe at turn 3.
Fellow Team Penske driver No. 22 Joey Logano held strong, winning the No. 1 spot in No. 09 Chase Elliot. However, it wouldn’t be long until the Daytona 500 would explode into battle around lap 5, with Byron fending off Dillon and Briscoe.
Stage 2
Into Stage 2 of the Daytona 500, the tide would turn again as JR Motorsports Justin Allgaier and No. 08 Kyle Busch are cautioned. According to NASCAR officials, the call was made because his crew was crossing over the wall too soon.
Even still, there was no stopping No. 48 Alex Bowman, who took over Logano’s lead after his car experienced a power issue. The issue interfered with allowing other on-track vehicles to pass the field, causing a significant accident that almost took out Chastain and several behind him.
With Bowman and Logano out, Cindric once gains momentum and tussles with Blaney, Preece, and Buescher. Cindric remained strong until lap 83. It was a defining moment until Elliot blew past, clearing a pathway for Green and McDowell to threaten Cindric’s lead.
Stage 3
Into Stage 3, Wallace tries to edge Blaney but instead gives him the head start needed to assume the lead. This is when the war between Blaney, Wallace, Busch, Logano, Cindric, who once again edges, and Byron, Hamlin, Stenhouse, and Nemechek begins.
Shortly thereafter, Custer was able to push Bell to the front, but not before a collision with Hamlin, causing unsuspecting Ryan Preece’s car to flip. Again, William Bryon gains the lead, edging to the checkered flag for the win, followed by Tyler Reddick and Jimmie Johnson. What a way to cap off the 67th Daytona 500!
Finishing Positions
1. William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
2. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
3. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Toyota
4. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
5. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
6. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
7. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
8. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
9. Justin Allgaier, No. 40 Chevrolet
10. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
11. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
12. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
13. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
14. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
15. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
16. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
17. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
19. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
20. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
21. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
22. Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Ford
23. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
24. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
25. Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
26. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
27. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
28. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
29. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
30. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
31. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
32. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
33. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
34. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
35. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
36. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
37. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
38. Martin Truex Jr., No. 56 Toyota
39. Helio Castroneves, No. 91 Chevrolet
40. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
41. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
Final Thoughts
The 67th Daytona 500 was nothing short of amazing, with eyes on Cindric, Wallace, Lajoie, Logano, and Byron. All four contenders fought well, but the Harley J. Earl trophy went to William Byron. Byron put up a good fight, even beating out 7-time champ Jimmie Johnson!
Johnson finished in 3rd compared to last year’s 9th. Can he pull another win next week aside from the Daytona 500? Stay tuned as NASCAR returns to Atlanta Motorspeedway on Feb. 22 for the Ambetter 400.
