From the beginning, the Daytona 500 has had its justifiable share of shut finishes. Prior to now, they had been measured in ft or automotive lengths. Now, can get the precise timing right down to the thousandth of a second.
Tuning into the Daytona 500 for the informal fan is all in regards to the wrecks and the shut finishes. There simply is not something like seeing two drivers side-by-side popping out of the trioval and throughout the end line.
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Most of the sport’s greatest names have been concerned in picture or close to picture finishes within the Daytona 500 through the years. Even earlier than modern-day drafting grew to become the norm. Nevertheless, everyone knows how pack racing can create these dramatic moments and finishes.
So, let’s get into the closest finishes in Daytona 500 historical past. The 5 closest finishes function a number of fan-favorite moments, and naturally, some heartbreaks.
#5 – Trevor Bayne Over Carl Edwards, 2011 Daytona 500
Trevor Bayne celebrates profitable the Daytona 500. Necessary Credit score: Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photos
(Necessary Credit score: Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photos)
Again in 2011, Trevor Bayne made historical past. Not solely did he develop into the youngest driver to ever win the Daytona 500, he did it in one of many closest finishes within the historical past of the vent.
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Bayne gained over Carl Edwards. Wooden Brothers towards Roush. All that separated the 2 was 0.118 seconds. Into historical past, Bayne and the No. 21 automotive went. Additionally they fell into the hearts of the NASCAR fanbase.
#4 – Lee Petty Over Johnny Beauchamp, 1959 Daytona 500
Within the very first version of the Daytona 500, Lee Petty gained by a mere two ft over Johnny Beauchamp. We do not know what that will be like by way of the precise seconds, however the picture is without doubt one of the most iconic within the early period of the game.
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After all, we weren’t going to get by means of this listing with out a little bit of NASCAR royalty being talked about. Lee Petty does not get talked about as a lot, and he had a child named Richard who did some good issues within the sport, however his contributions stay prevalent to at the present time.
#3 – Austin Cindric Over Bubba Wallace, 2022 Daytona 500
Austin Cindric wins the 2022 Daytona 500 over Bubba Wallace. David Tucker/Information Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
(David Tucker/Information Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)
As a rookie within the NASCAR Cup Sequence, Austin Cindric made historical past within the 2022 Daytona 500. I used to be an exciting end with a late restart that arrange the largest win of Cindric’s younger profession.
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0.036 seconds is all that separated the No. 2 automotive from the No. 23 automotive. It was a kind of “what if?” moments for Wallace, and a kind of life altering moments for Cindric. Fairly a debut for the Subsequent Gen automotive, do not you assume?
#2 – Kevin Harvick Over Mark Martin, 2007 Daytona 500
Speak about iconic moments. Kevin Harvick will get the win within the Daytona 500 and he has to do it over Mark Martin. Two legends of the game and two of the best drivers to ever sit in a inventory automotive. These two went right down to the wire and Harvick ended up on prime.
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When all was mentioned and performed, Harvick edged Martin by 0.020 seconds. One of many all-time nice finishes of not solely the Daytona 500, however contemplating who it concerned, the historical past of NASCAR. You do not get finishes like this each day.
#1 – Denny Hamlin Over Martin Truex Jr., 2016 Daytona 500
Denny Hamlin wins over Martin Truex Jr. within the 2016 Daytona 500. Necessary Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Photos
(Necessary Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Photos)
The primary of three Daytona 500 victories for , the 2016 Daytona 500 is a kind of races that haunts Martin Truex Jr. followers to at the present time. Hamlin acquired the win and it helped propel his profession to new heights as a winner within the Nice American Race.
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Within the closest end of all-time within the Daytona 500, Hamlin acquired the win by a mere 0.010 seconds. It was not a matter of ft, however inches that separated the 2. May Hamlin make it 4 Harley J. Earl trophies this yr?
This story was initially revealed by on Feb 7, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
