Racer - Spring 2016

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Toyota had to wait 10 years to bask in the glory of a victory in NASCAR’s “Great American Race,” but that wait was paid back with interest. When Denny Hamlin edged out Martin Truex Jr. at the line in the closest finish in the 58-year history of the race, it marked the first Daytona 500 win for Hamlin and the Toyota Camry, and the first since 1993 for NFL coaching legend turned NASCAR car owner Joe Gibbs. With Hamlin’s teammates Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards taking third and fifth, respectively, it was a dream come true for Toyota.

That order looked unlikely just a lap earlier. Although Hamlin had dominated the race, leading 95 of the 200 laps, he had to leave it late to take his first victory

Closest finish ever for the Daytona 500 heads a top-three sweep for Toyota in NASCAR’s big race DOMINATION IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

in the 500 after being shuffled down the order at the final set of pit stops.

Going into the final lap, Hamlin was only fourth, but went high into Turn 4 and then ducked back inside as race-leading teammate Matt Kenseth got loose.

Hamlin then beat Truex across the line by just 0.011 seconds.

“I don’t know what happened – I don’t even know what I did,” said Hamlin. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the Toyotas sticking together all race long.”

The first Daytona 500 in 1959 was a literal photo finish, with NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. studying stills and film footage for three days before determining that Lee Petty had beaten Johnny Beauchamp.