Joey Logano celebrated his first Daytona 500 win on Sunday, February 22.
International Business Times reported that the 24-year-old is the second youngest racer to win in the history of the race. The race was quite thrilling until the end, with the leading racers just three-wide with only 11 laps remaining. The deciding factors consisted of cautions and delays, including a crash without only four laps left. The race required some overtime racing to determine the winner, but Logano emerged victorious via a two-lap sprint at the finish.
At the 90-lap line, Logano and Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed to be the best drivers. Logano led for 31 laps before going in front to chase Earnhardt Jr. when he had to take a pit stop to refuel at the 45-lap line. Earnhardt won the Daytona 500 in 2014 and looked to make it a back-to-back win but he had to settle for third place in the end. At the 25-lap line, Jimmie Johnson was leading, while Earnhardt Jr. and Logano were second and third respectively.
In the same report by International Business Times, a delay and caution at the 20-lap line again opened the opportunity for any racer to win. Logano was leading but a crash at the back caused another caution in the last four laps. Logano managed to keep his lead despite the cautions and delays.
The top ten finishers of the race are Logano, Kevin Harvick, Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer, Martin Treux Jr., Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle.
ESPN also reported that Gordon was involved in the last crash, finishing at No. 33. Tony Stewart is now 0-17 after he got into a multi-car accident. He ran into a wall and started a chain of crashes.
Kyle and Kurt Busch were notably absent after either of the brothers having joined the Daytona 500 in the past 14 years. Kurt was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after allegations of domestic assault were filed against him. Kyle injured his right leg and left foot in a crash in the Xfinity series race.
A video was also shown by International Business Times, showing Logano celebrating on top of his car. He said, "I can't believe it. This is absolutely amazing. Daytona 500, oh my God. Are you kidding me? I was so nervous the whole race."
Yahoo! Sports reported that Logano was recently married, with his wife just about 20 feet away as he celebrated his Daytona 500 win.