by The Daytona 500 had a tense finish on Sunday when a massive fiery wreck in the final lap knocked out the leaders and led to a surprise winner in Michael McDowell.
No one was seriously injured in the crash, which was caught from multiple angles:
WHAT. A. FINISH.
Teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wreck on the final lap, and @Mc_Driver is the #Daytona500!CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/N9E7uANXQl
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 15, 2021
Another look at the big wreck on the last lap of the #DAYTONA500.
All drivers have climbed out of their cars. pic.twitter.com/UmRtWoJ5YA
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2021
We all knew a storm was brewing coming to the finish.@mattkenseth and @gbiffle react to the crash and break down @Mc_Driver’s big win during the #DAYTONA500 Watch Party! pic.twitter.com/pOELmJQzSL
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2021
Driver Kyle Busch described being in the middle of it all:
Kyle Busch is okay after tonight’s terrifying #DAYTONA500 crash. pic.twitter.com/KUtKL3lSUq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2021
The crash cleared the track of its leaders and gave McDowell an upset victory.
McDowell had a 100-1 odds of winning before the race and hadn’t led any lap until that last one.
It was his first win in 358 Cup Series starts.
“So many years just grinding it out and hoping for an opportunity like this,” McDowell said, according to AP. “Such a great way to get a first victory — a Daytona 500. Are you kidding me?”
Brad Keselowski, who was just behind race leader and teammate Joey Logano, walked away uninjured… but unhappy:
The agony of defeat for Brad Keselowski. #NASCAR#Daytona500pic.twitter.com/eKi0CpqFSh
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 15, 2021
The sequence seemed to begin when McDowell bumped Keselowski, who was trying to pass Logano. Keselowski and Logano crashed, taking out multiple other vehicles in the process.
“I don’t feel like I made a mistake,” Keselowski said after the race. “But I can’t drive everybody else’s car.”
He later tweeted:
Heartbreaker
My body is fine but my heart is broke
Months of studying, months of tremendous car prep from the #2crew & in the perfect position at the end…
Yet, Another #DAYTONA500 slips away…
What else can you say?What else can you do but be grateful for the opportunity?
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 15, 2021
The wreck came nearly 20 years to the day after racing legend Dale Earnhardt was killed at Daytona on Feb. 18, 2001, which shook the sport and helped led to safety changes.
