Daytona 500 witnesses closest ever finish in 58-year-history
Denny Hamlin won by just 0.010 seconds
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Daytona 500 witnessed the closest ever finish in the race's 58-year history on Sunday night when Denny Hamlin crossed the finish line just 0.010 seconds ahead of his closest competitor.
The 35-year-old, driving a Toyota, started the last lap of the 500-mile race in fourth but clawed his way back up to snatch the chequered flag from Martin Truex Jr.
Hamlin pulled out of line with a lap to go and first chased down team-mate Matt Kenseth. He staved off Kenseth's block, and wedged between him and Truex. Hamlin then stayed on the gas for a door-to-door dash to the finish line.
"You couldn't have written a better ending," Hamlin said, who won the 'Great American Race' for the first time at the 11th attempt.
He added: "I knew it was close, but I didn't know we had won."
Watch the finish below...
#Hamlin by inches #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/4Q8AiUcizN
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) February 21, 2016
Truex said: "I thought I could keep that foot or so. I lost it in the last second."
Reigning champion Kyle Busch finished in third.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments