The Daytona 500 is among the most prestigious crown jewel occasions and is sometimes called “The Nice American Race.” It was first held in 1959 and has been the primary point-paying race of the season since February 1982. The race takes place on the Daytona Worldwide Speedway in Florida.
There have been a number of drivers who received the 500-lap tile since its introduction, however within the fashionable NextGen period, just one driver dominated the observe. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has showcased his mettle within the 200-mile race, profitable three titles previously 15 years.
Hamlin debuted within the Cup Collection in 2005 with Joe Gibbs Racing and secured a full-time seat in 2006, changing Jason Leffler. He has accomplished 20 seasons within the Cup Collection with the workforce, securing 54 wins, 358 top-ten finishes, and 44 poles in 685 begins. Furthermore, his three Daytona 500 wins got here in 2016, 2019, and 2020.
The NextGen automobiles have been launched in NASCAR in 2021, and since then, the #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver has had robust luck securing a win within the occasion. His finest Daytona 500 end within the NextGen automobile got here in 2023, the place he completed in seventeenth place on the leaderboard, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. received the race.
Denny Hamlin will drive his iconic Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota automobile within the 2025 season along with his new crew chief Chris Gayle. Earlier, he competed within the Conflict at Bowman Grey Stadium and completed in third place behind Ryan Blaney.
Daytona 500 finishes of the highest three scorers of the 2024 Cup Collection
#1 Joey Logano
Staff Penske driver Joey Logano bagged his third title within the 2024 Cup Collection season. Nevertheless, he didn’t have a profitable run within the early season. Logano wrapped up his 2024 Daytona 500 run in thirty second place on the leaderboard.
The Cup Collection driver received the pole place with a finest time of 49.465 seconds and led essentially the most laps final season however did not win his second 500-lap race title. His first and solely 200-mile occasion win got here in 2015.
#2. Ryan Blaney
Former NASCAR Cup Collection champion Ryan Blaney additionally ended his run on the 2024 Daytona 500 similar to his teammate Joey Logano. Blaney certified in thirty second place and completed the race in thirtieth place after he received concerned in a crash.
In his 11-year profession within the Cup Collection, the Staff Penske driver hasn’t secured any title within the 500-mile race. His finest end on the most prestigious crown jewel occasion got here in 2020, the place he completed because the runner-up behind Denny Hamlin.
#3. William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron completed the 2024 season in third place. He secured three wins, 21 top-ten, and 13 top-five finishes in 36 begins. He additionally received the 2024 Daytona 500 after qualifying 18th and solely led 4 laps earlier than crossing the end line.
Moreover, Byron secured a pole place within the 2019 race and completed in twenty first place whereas Denny Hamlin took his second title house.
Ex-Packers champ not satisfied with Jalen Hurts after profitable Tremendous Bowl MVP: “He is nonetheless not a fully elite QB”
Edited by Anisha Chatterjee