Daytona, USA – February 19, 2024 – Anthony Holbrook
Stock Car’s fiercest gladiators strapped into their chariots of horsepower to conquer Daytona International Speedway’s 2.5-mile Superspeedway in quest for the covenant Harley J. Earl Trophy. Many ambitious drivers have attempted, only a few have succeeded.
Past Wednesday’s qualifying winners, Joey Logano and Michael McDowell locked in the front row optimizing a single-lap run for the Great American Race.
Thursday’s Duel races were captured by Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell, respectfully.
Inclement weather forced NASCAR to postpone Sunday’s scheduled NASCAR’s running of the Daytona 500 until Monday’s Presidents Day, 4:00 p.m. EST.
Stage 1 Recap: – 2024 Daytona 500
Pole Sitter Joey Logano and Michael McDowell battled side by side into turn one but Christopher Bell booted Logano to lead the season’s opening lap.
Race Teams attempted to settle down till a miscommunication between John Hunter Nemecheck and Brad Keselowski’s front bumper initiated the first caution on lap 6.
The collision eliminated and crippled many racer’s hopes for a prosperous finish. Harrison Burton, Carson Hocevar, Austin Dillon, Jimmie Johnson, Kraz Grala and Ryan Preece were victims of the aftermath in the tri-oval skirmish.
With twenty laps remaining Cup Champion Chase Elliott rotated to the lead with pit service upcoming.
Chase Elliott’s precise pit attention boosted NASCAR’s most popular driver to secure the final 10 laps of Stage 1.
Stage 1 Results: – 2024 Daytona 500
1. Chase Elliott
2. Kyle Larson
3. Ross Chastain
4. Alex Bowman
5. William Byron
6. Kyle Busch
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Martin Truex Jr
10. Daniel Suarez
Stage 2 Recap: – 2024 Daytona 500
After manufacturers teamed up for pit service, Kyle Larson was rotated to the race lead with 15 laps remaining in Stage 2.
With 10 to go, Kyle Busch and Austin Cindric went door to door to the front to challenge and finally clear Kyle Larson’s lead.
With 1 to go, Ryan Blaney shoved Austin Cindric to the lead. A lower lane opened up inviting Blaney to sharp-shoot under race leader Austin Cindric and collect Stage 2 honors.
Stage 2 Results: – 2024 Daytona 500
1. Ryan Blaney
2. Austin Cindric
3. Daniel Suarez
4. Kyle Busch
5. Tyler Reddick
6. William Byron
7. Bubba Wallace
8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
9. AJ Allmendinger
10. Chris Buescher
Final Stage Recap: – 2024 Daytona 500
With time running out the team’s intensity rose as they realized their opportunities to win were dwindling.
Austion Cendrick and Bubba Wallace tangled while pursuing the lead to open the final Stage. Season Veteran AJ Allmendinger took this opportunity to tag up with Martin Truex Jr. for further drafting advancement. Allmendinger led the field as competitors planned their challenge with 60 laps remaining.
Pit Stops with less than 25 laps remaining circulated Ross Chastain to the front as Pole Sitter’ Joey Logano hounded his back bumper.
Ross Chastain attempted a block on an approaching Brad Keselowski while maintaining the lead on Lap 190. Brad Keselowski drove deep into the inside lane only to be turned in front of the approaching field! Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, Martin Truex Jr, and Denny Hamlin are notable drivers involved in the collision.
Ross Chastain in desperation, attempted to regain the lead only to be intercepted by a block from William Byron. Ross Chastain was tagged by William Byron in the rear quarter panel spinning Ross Chastain out of control. William Byron cruised to checkers winning the 2024 Daytona 500 under the Caution Flag.
Daytona 500 Results
NASCAR Cup Series
February 19, 2024
Pos | Driver
1. William Byron
2. Alex Bowman
3. Christopher Bell
4. Corey LaJoie
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Bubba Wallace
7. John Hunter Nemechek
8. Chase Briscoe
9. Erik Jones
10. Noah Gragson
11. Kyle Larson
12. Kyle Busch
13. Zane Smith
14. Chase Elliott
15. Martin Truex Jr
16. Daniel Suarez
17. Ty Gibbs
18. Chris Buescher
19. Denny Hamlin
20. David Ragan
21. Ross Chastain
22. Austin Cindric
23. Ryan Preece
24. Riley Herbst
25. Josh Berry
26. Justin Haley
27. Anthony Alfredo
28. Jimmie Johnson
29. Tyler Reddick
30. Ryan Blaney
31. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
32. Joey Logano
33. Brad Keselowski
34. Daniel Suarez
36. Michael McDowell
37. Austin Dillon
38. Kaz Grala
39. Harrison Burton
40. Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup Series 2nd point’s race will shift to Hotlanta for the Ambetter Health 400 hosted by the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Sunday, February 25th, 2024
3:00 p.m. EST.
FOX / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio 90 / MRN
