DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin has won the Daytona 500, edging Martin Truex Jr. by inches at the finish line. It was the closest finish in the history of the event.
Hamlin gave Toyota its first Daytona 500 victory and owner Joe Gibbs his first win in “The Great American Race” since 1993.
Hamlin was running fourth on the final lap before making a strong move to the outside, nudging teammate Matt Kenseth and then powering by Truex.
Hamlin became the first driver since Davey Allison in 1992 to win the Daytona 500 after leading at the halfway point.