In 68 editions of the Daytona 500, NASCAR has seen loads of shock or sudden winners. Nevertheless, it wasn’t till 2017 that the victor in inventory automotive racing’s crown jewel occasion solely led the ultimate lap of the 200-lap battle.
Whereas it didn’t occur as soon as between 1959 and 2016, the phenomenon has now occurred 4 occasions within the final decade. It showcases simply how unpredictable trendy superspeedway racing has turn out to be, and the way typically they finish in race-altering wrecks.
This is a have a look at every of the 4 occasions the Daytona 500 winner solely led the checkered flag lap, and the way they managed to beat the percentages.
2017 — Kurt Busch performs the fuel-mileage recreation
Kurt Busch celebrates
Photograph by: Jeff Robinson / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
In 2017, the five hundred end was very uncommon with solely a handful of automobiles within the lead group, and a number of other operating on fumes. Busch was close to the entrance for many of the ultimate stint, however he did not dare to guide as he wished to save lots of as a lot gas as attainable. With ten laps to go, he was operating third. He then fell again to fourth behind Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., and Chase Elliott. With three laps to go, Elliott ran out. A lap later, Truex started to sluggish, and whereas Larson led on the white flag, his automotive started to stumble and Busch roared handed him as effectively. It was the one time the winner led simply the ultimate lap with out there being a last-lap crash. As a substitute, it was a tense fuel-mileage race that ended with Busch on prime. The automotive was battle-scarred from earlier injury, however he had loads of gas within the tank, just because he had the endurance to attend.
2018 — Almirola’s failed block on Austin Dillon
Aric Almirola wrecks from the lead
Photograph by: Brian Lawdermilk by way of Getty Photos
Dillon restarted fourth in additional time in 2018, avoiding the chaos of a crash-filled Daytona 500. There have been solely a couple of dozen automobiles left that would sustain with the pack. He pushed Aric Almirola forward, and took the white flag in third, side-by-side with Denny Hamlin. Down the backstretch, Dillon had an enormous run and Almirola threw an aggressive block. Dillon appeared low, after which excessive, after which Almirola went spinning into the surface wall. It was a tough, single-car crash as Almirola spun from the lead following contact with Dillon. The race remained inexperienced, and Dillon received the Daytona 500 within the RCR No. 3, twenty years after Dale Earnhardt had performed the identical.
Fiery crash ends the Daytona 500
Photograph by: Mike Ehrmann by way of Getty Photos
Getting into the 2021 Daytona 500, McDowell had by no means even received a Cup race earlier than. He had been racing within the Cup Collection since 2008 with 357 begins — and nil wins. The sphere was largely single-file, ripping alongside the highest with two Penske automobiles within the prime three. Between these Penske automobiles was Kevin Harvick, and behind them in fourth was McDowell. With two laps to go, Brad Keselowski held again and obtained an enormous run on Harvick, placing Penske 1-2 with McDowell following them as much as third. On the ultimate lap, it appeared like Penske was assured to win. McDowell gave Keselowski a push he used to make a transfer on teammate Joey Logano, however Logano blocked. The crimson and yellow No. 22 spun to the within, the white and black No. 2 spun to the surface, and the seas parted for McDowell as he drove up by way of the center. If the race stayed inexperienced, his victory would have been removed from assured as two different drivers started to move him, however as automobiles erupted into flames and even touched the fence behind them, NASCAR had no selection however to throw the yellow. McDowell was now a winner within the Cup Collection for the primary time, doing so within the largest race of all of them.
Watch: Cinderella: McDowell wins the Daytona 500 in wreck-filled final lap
2026 — Tyler Reddick with a pleasant push
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, Joey Logano, Staff Penske Ford, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
The wildest end of all of them, and also you seemingly do not want a refresher, however we’ll provide you with one anyway. Reddick was second when the ultimate warning of the race flew, and restarted on the entrance row with 4 laps to go. He had 2024 and 2025 Daytona 500 winner William Byron connected to his rear bumper as McDowell led the best way. Reddick surged forward however as he tried to dam each lanes, he obtained put within the center between McDowell and Byron. Fortunately for him, his 23XI teammate Bubba Wallace wedged his manner in behind him, and stored Reddick close to the entrance of the pack. With three to go, McDowell continued to guide with teammate Carson Hocevar second and Reddick third. Reddick dropped to the underside and obtained disconnected from Wallace.
With two laps to go, he was again within the prime lane and now ran fourth behind Erik Jones and the Spire teammates. He shortly dropped again right down to the center, and now had Logano as his pusher with the pack dynamic altering quickly. On the white flag, Reddick was within the center, three-wide, and operating fourth on the line. As Hocevar obtained turned from the race lead, each he and Jones got here throughout Reddick’s nostril. He made contact with Jones and doored Byron, however managed to maintain shifting in the proper course. For a second, he nosed forward with the lead whereas three-wide with new gamers — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Elliott.
Reddick began to fade with no assist, and was in determined want of a pusher. Properly, in his hour of want, one other 23XI teammate appeared as Riley Herbst gave him a shot down the backstretch. Getting into Flip 3, he was third, and managed to out-duel Zane Smith, attending to his outdoors. Herbst stayed proper there, propelling Reddick ahead. On the frontstretch, he faked excessive earlier than diving low below Elliott, taking the lead as Herbst unintentionally triggered a wreck that destroyed the remainder of the highest 5 within the run to the end line. Reddick was victorious, main solely the ultimate lap of the race.
Watch: Tyler Reddick dissects his profitable Daytona 500 lap
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