DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A lap down after the 10-car wreck at Lap 71 that shifted the field taking out favorites like Ross Chastain, and Indy Car entry Helio Castroneves, Stage 1 winner Joey Lagano made his way back toward the front by Lap 124, with his pit crew working to resolve an issue with the throttle body after a plastic bag was sucked under the hood through the front grill.
In spite of being taken out, it was good to see Martin Truex, Jr. smile leaving the infield care center. Since retiring after the 2024 season, his relaxed demeanor is that of a champion who loves his sport again.
A Memorable Start
The drivers and fans enjoyed a patriotic start to the Daytona 500 with the AdventHealth Central Florida Chaplain opening the ceremonies along with an acapella rendition of The National Anthem, as U.S. President Donald Trump stood at attention alongside the D.C. Color Guard. Captain America Anthony Mackie belted out the race’s most famous words, ‘Drivers, start your engines’.
Watching Air Force One circle the Daytona International Speedway was a highlight for fans who recorded the experience, and President Trump drew resounding cheers when featured on the screen during the national anthem. Taking a few hot laps around the track, it was a moment with the people as the Commander-In-Chief wished the drivers a safe, fun day.
Kicking off the show with a performance by global superstar Pitbull, his dynamic stage presence wasn’t the only fireworks related to the Trackhouse Racing co-owner, who announced the termination of his partnership with the racing team a day before the Cup Series race.
Under the Lights
Rain delays didn’t tamp down enthusiasm among race car drivers and teams. While several rain delays sent the drivers to their buses or to interviews, driver Chase Elliot expressed his love of racing under the lights at the World Center of Racing as the delay wore on.
Heading back to their cars ready to run the Daytona 500, Fords continued to control the pace with a 3-wide front row as the race reached the midway point near 8 p.m., with Austin Cindric sliding in and out of the lead, followed not far behind by Chevy favorite Chase Elliot.
Holding On, Hanging Back, The Big Ones
The two veterans hoping to capitalize on the night and finally chalk up a win at the Daytona 500, RFK’s Brad Keselowski who has 15 previous attempts and RCR’s Kyle Busch, played it cool through Stage 2.
Busch, plagued by a penalty and a near knock out in a mid-race wreck, moved up from 20th to 12th by the end of Stage 2, with newlywed Ryan Blaney picking up the Stage 2 win for Team Penske.
Taking the lead in Stage 3, Kyle Busch maintained a top 10 position even after a caution and pit with 37 laps to go. 34 cars remained on the track with Cindric reclaiming the lead. Maintaining P3 for a dozen laps, it was a Lap 186 tussle between Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Joey Lagano that shook up the top contenders including Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliot, and Brad Keselowski.
Austin Cindric reclaimed the lead with seven laps to go, trading the lead with Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.
‘Looks like the fastest car got in a hurry to get to the wreck,” said Busch after being wrecked by Lagano, and leaving the infield care center. “He’s trying to go through the middle and make hole that isn’t there. You’ve got to know how wide your race car is to be able to find a hole that it will fit in, and he obviously doesn’t know that.”
The big one hit with Ryan Preece No. 60 airborne, flipping through the air after contact between Christopher Bell No. 20 and Cole Custer No. 41 on Lap 196, impacting 10 cars.
The final lap saw Cindric and Hamlin running neck and neck with another big wreck scooping up more of the field in Turn 3. William Byron No. 24 Chevy took the checkered flag, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Denny Hamlin in 2019 and 2020.
“I trusted my instinct on the last lap. Obviously fortunate,” said Byron. “It’s obviously very special. An amazing race. Really proud of our team. Super thankful for this group.”
After leading for a number of laps, Cindric expressed his feelings.
“I’m thankful for fast cars and frustrated by the result,” said Cindric after the race.
Tyler Reddick came in second with Jimmie Johnson in third, Chase Briscoe followed in fourth, and John Hunter Nemechek in fifth.
“I’m excited to have two cars in the top five,” said Legacy Motor Club owner Jimmie Johnson, who drove the No. 84 in the 67th Annual Daytona 500.
Next up is the Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23rd.
