The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season got under way with the Daytona 500 yesterday (2/21) and it was Denny Hamlin that took the checkered flag by just inches to win.
The 40 Sprint Cup drivers took the green flag to battle it out for points and the win in the Great American Race as NASCAR began the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup. The driver that earned a trip to Victory Lane would be able to claim the prestigious title of “Daytona 500 Champion” and know that their spot in the 2016 Chase would be all but guaranteed.
However, it would not be an easy goal to accomplish as many drivers would find that turn four would be “calamity corner” throughout the 500 mile race. Pole sitter Chase Elliot and one of the favorites to win Dale Earnhardt Jr. would find this out by losing control of their cars and taking themselves out of contention for the win.
Denny Hamlin was one of 15 drivers to lead at least one lap during the 58th running of the Daytona 500 and exchange the lead 20 times. In fact, he would lead the most laps with 95 circuits out front more than doubling his teammate Matt Kenseth who led the second most at 40 laps.
There were six caution periods during the Daytona 500 with the final yellow flag being issued on lap 185 of the 200 laps scheduled. That set up a sprint to the finish.
Matt Kenseth had the lead when the race re-started and held that lead until the last lap. That is when Denny made his move to win the race. Coming out of turn four he and Martin Tuex Jr. were door-to-door racing for the finish line. The two crossed the finish line with Denny taking the win by the smallest margin in history for the Daytona 500.
Kyle Busch took home a third place finish with Kevin Harvick in fourth and Carl Edwards rounding out the top five. See the complete race results for the 2016 Daytona 500 here.
This was Denny’s first career win in the Daytona 500 and put him st the top of the list in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings. In fact because this was the first race of the season the point standings reflect the race results. See the complete NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings here.
The Sprint Cup drivers head to Atlanta Motor Speedway next for the Folds Of honor Quiktrip 500 Sunday, February 28th.
By: Buck Stevens
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: A general view of the peedway during the flyover prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Ken Griffey Jr. waves the green flag as Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, races Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, has an on track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, races Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s 75 Toyota, races Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, takes the checkered flag ahead of Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, takes the checkered flag ahead of Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)
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- DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, poses with the winner’s decal in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)
