By Nicholas Sterling
Many drivers dream about winning the Daytona 500 just once. Some are even lucky enough to win it twice. Then there’s that elite group that has won it three or more times. A group Denny Hamlin is now a part of.
Despite being in third place coming off the final turn, Hamlin was able to work his way past both Ryan Newman and Ryan Blaney to win his third Daytona 500, and second in a row. Blaney and Newman made contact that sent Newman’s car into the wall and upside down. Moments later, Corey Lajoie hit Newman’s car drivers’ side while going around 200 mph.
Many people held their breath as they did not know the severity of Newman’s condition. He was taken directly to Halifax Medical Center. About two hours after the race ended, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell released a statement on behalf of Roush Fenway Racing, Newman’s team.
The statement shared that while Newman was in serious condition, his injuries are not considered life-threatening – a sigh of relief for many fans and drivers who offered their prayers and best wishes on social media.
The latest update on Newman is that he is awake and speaking to his family.
The race was run on a Monday for just the second time in NASCAR history after heavy rains pounded the track Sunday afternoon and evening.
A fairly tame until a 19-car crash happened with 16 to go, the crash took out many front-runners including Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson. The result stung especially for Johnson as this is expected to be his final Daytona 500 start after announcing his retirement in November.
A second big crash claimed nine cars including favorite Joey Logano. That set the scene for the final sprint to the finish.
Hamlin’s margin of victory over Blaney was just 0.014, the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. Coincidentally, the closest Daytona 500 was also won by Hamlin back in 2016.
NASCAR now heads west as they begin their west coast swing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race will be Sunday, February 23 at 3:30 ET on FOX.
