Hamlin Wins Overtime Thriller In Second-Closest Finish Ever In Daytona 500 History

By Joe Jennings
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Updated: February 18, 2020

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. [Credit: Chris Graythen | Getty Images]

By Joe Jennings

DAYTONA BEACH – Denny Hamlin once again won the Daytona 500 in a thrilling, overtime thriller at the Daytona International Speedway early Monday evening. His margin of victory of .014 seconds made for the second closet finish in the history of the “Great American Race.”

Grinding, multi-car crashes led to two red flags near the event’s conclusion, sending the race into two overtimes and extending it to 209 laps, to make it the longest-ever 500 in history.

Unfortunately, a terrifying crash took place at the finish line involving Ryan Newman, who had been leading seconds beforehand. Newman attempted to block another car, and in doing so, he slammed violently into the outside wall, flipped over, and was struck by Corey Lajoie’s rapidly approaching car.
Newman’s over-turned car then slid down the track while on fire, coming to a stop at the end of pit road. Rescue staff was quick to reach the over-turned car and began taking steps to remove the stricken driver.

Everyone realized the severity of the accident and it cast a pall over the competitors and their teams.

Late in the evening, Steve Phelps, NASCAR’s CEO, issued a statement saying that Newman is in the nearby Halifax Medical Center in serious condition and doctors have indicated the 42-year old driver has non-life-threatening injuries.

For Hamlin, he won for the third time and is now tied with Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon for third-most Daytona 500 wins. In winning back-to-back victories, Hamlin joined Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough and Sterling Marlin as the only drivers to do so.