Daytona 500 Victories Secured on the Final Lap: A Decade of Dramatic Upsets Redefines Superspeedway Racing

In the storied history of the Daytona 500, a race synonymous with unpredictable finishes and breathtaking overtakes, a unique phenomenon has emerged with increasing frequency over the past decade: the champion seizing the lead only on the very last lap. While the "Great American Race" has always been a stage for upsets, it wasn’t until 2017 that a winner’s sole lap in the lead was the checkered flag lap. This trend, occurring four times in the last ten editions of the 200-lap endurance event, underscores the volatile nature of modern superspeedway racing, where aggressive tactics and the ever-present threat of multi-car incidents can dramatically reshape the outcome in the closing moments.

The statistical anomaly highlights a shift in race strategy and the inherent risks associated with pack racing at Daytona International Speedway. For decades, leading laps was often seen as a prerequisite for victory, a sign of a dominant car and a well-executed race plan. However, the recent trend suggests that strategic positioning, fuel conservation, and capitalizing on late-race chaos can be equally, if not more, potent paths to the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy.

2017: Kurt Busch Masters the Fuel-Mileage Gambit

The 2017 Daytona 500 provided an early, striking example of this last-lap-lead phenomenon. As the race entered its crucial final laps, the lead pack dwindled, with several contenders facing the daunting prospect of running out of fuel. Kurt Busch, driving the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, employed a meticulous fuel-saving strategy throughout the closing stages. While running third with ten laps remaining, he wisely conserved fuel, allowing Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., and Chase Elliott to navigate the challenges ahead.

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As the laps wound down, the fuel scarcity began to take its toll. Chase Elliott was the first to falter, running out of fuel with three laps to go. A lap later, Martin Truex Jr. began to slow, surrendering his position. Kyle Larson, who had led at the white flag, experienced a similar fuel issue, his car stumbling as Busch surged forward. Busch, having meticulously managed his fuel, capitalized on the misfortunes of his rivals, taking the lead for the first and only time as he crossed the finish line. This victory, achieved without a last-lap wreck, was a testament to Busch’s patience and strategic foresight, demonstrating that a car that might have been battle-scarred from earlier contact could still prevail with precise execution and a full fuel tank.

2018: Austin Dillon’s Overtime Triumph Amidst Almirola’s Block

The 2018 edition of the Daytona 500 saw another dramatic conclusion, albeit one precipitated by a significant on-track incident. The race, marred by several crashes, ultimately went into overtime, with only a handful of cars remaining in contention. Austin Dillon, piloting the iconic No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, found himself in a strong position. He had strategically stayed behind Aric Almirola, pushing him forward and ultimately taking the white flag in third place, alongside Denny Hamlin.

On the backstretch, as Dillon mounted a charge with a significant run, Almirola, leading at the time, attempted an aggressive block. The maneuver proved disastrous. Dillon, looking for racing room, was forced to react, and Almirola, caught in a precarious position, spun into the outside wall in a hard, single-car incident. The crash brought out a caution, but because it occurred after the white flag had been displayed, the race remained under green for a single-lap shootout. With Almirola out of contention, Austin Dillon inherited the lead and secured his maiden Daytona 500 victory, a poignant win that mirrored Dale Earnhardt’s triumph in the same car number twenty years prior.

2021: Michael McDowell’s Cinderella Story on a Wreck-Filled Final Lap

Perhaps the most improbable of these last-lap victories came in the 2021 Daytona 500, where Michael McDowell, in his 358th career NASCAR Cup Series start, secured his first-ever win in the sport’s premier series. Prior to this race, McDowell had never won a Cup Series event, making his victory in the Daytona 500 the ultimate Cinderella story.

The closing laps of the 2021 race were chaotic, with the field running mostly single-file before a late surge by Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano of Team Penske. McDowell, running fourth, followed closely behind as Keselowski pushed Logano to the front. On the final lap, with Penske cars seemingly in control, McDowell provided a crucial push to Keselowski, who then attempted to make a move on his teammate Logano. Logano blocked the move, resulting in contact that sent both Penske cars spinning. In the ensuing melee, the "seas parted" for McDowell, who drove his No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford up through the middle, avoiding the spinning cars.

As cars erupted into flames and touched the fence behind him, NASCAR had no choice but to throw a caution, freezing the field. McDowell, who had briefly nosed ahead amidst the chaos, was declared the winner. Had the race remained green, his victory would have been far from guaranteed, as other drivers were closing in. However, the spectacular multi-car crash at the front secured his place in history as a Daytona 500 champion who only led the final lap.

2026: Tyler Reddick’s Orchestrated Last-Lap Pass

The 2026 Daytona 500 provided another chapter in this unfolding narrative of late-race drama. Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, found himself in a precarious but ultimately advantageous position as the final laps approached. After a series of restarts and frantic jockeying for position, Reddick was running second when the final caution flew, setting up a four-lap shootout.

Reddick initially surged to the lead but found himself caught in the middle of a three-wide battle. His teammate, Bubba Wallace, provided crucial assistance, keeping Reddick in contention. As the race entered its final laps, the lead contenders shuffled constantly. On the white flag lap, Reddick was running fourth, three-wide, when a wreck erupted ahead, involving Carson Hocevar and Erik Jones. Reddick managed to navigate the incident, briefly taking the lead as he battled with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Chase Elliott.

However, without a consistent push, Reddick began to fade. In a remarkable display of team coordination, another 23XI teammate, Riley Herbst, provided a crucial push down the backstretch, propelling Reddick back into contention. Entering Turn 3, Reddick found himself battling Zane Smith. Herbst remained glued to Reddick’s bumper, offering continuous support. On the frontstretch, Reddick faked high before diving low under Elliott, taking the lead as Herbst’s push inadvertently triggered a multi-car wreck that consumed the rest of the top-five contenders. In a scene mirroring previous years, Reddick crossed the finish line as the Daytona 500 champion, having led only the final lap.

These four instances, spread across less than a decade, illustrate a significant evolution in how the Daytona 500 can be won. Modern superspeedway racing, characterized by close-quarters drafting, the strategic use of cautions, and the inherent risks of high-speed pack racing, has created an environment where fortunes can change in an instant. While traditional strategies of leading laps and dominating the race remain valid, the recent history of the Daytona 500 champions suggests that patience, strategic positioning, and the ability to capitalize on late-race opportunities, even if it means only leading the final circuit, are increasingly becoming the keys to victory. This trend continues to add layers of intrigue and unpredictability to NASCAR’s most prestigious event, ensuring that the roar of the crowd and the anticipation of a dramatic finish will always be synonymous with Daytona.

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