A Whirlwind of Late Race Drama Sends the Daytona 500 Into NASCAR Overtime

NASCAR has long sought to make overtime finishes more favorable. The most significant change was allowing an unlimited number of attempts.

Unfortunately, that rule has resulted in more crashes and green-white-checkered finishes than desired. That is why we continue to advocate for a simple change: The race must end under green.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Wins Daytona 500

Stenhouse, who started 31st on the starting grid, made his way into overtime among the leaders and ultimately won in a second overtime under caution. It was an historic victory for JTG Daugherty Racing - owned by Jodi and Tad Geschickter as well as former NBA star Brad Daugherty - which claimed its second overtime under caution.

On the first overtime restart, Stenhouse was able to put just enough distance between him and Joey Logano that he could gain the edge and snap his 199-race winless streak.

On the final restart, Stenhouse took command of Turn 4 and held off Logano's charge to score his third career Daytona 500 victory. This win marks his first in NASCAR Cup Series competition since July 1, 2017, and first with JTG Daugherty; which hadn't won a Daytona race since 2014 when AJ Allmendinger triumphed at Watkins Glen.

On schedule for 200 laps, a crash with three laps left sent the race into double overtime. It ended up being an unprecedented 212 laps raced - making it the longest in Daytona history!

Throughout the race, there were multiple lead changes and accidents. The first overtime restart featured a chaotic mix up of drivers that resulted in 13 wrecks. On the second restart, Stenhouse was propelled to the front by Logano and Kyle Larson; he had pulled slightly ahead as they passed each other on the last lap, but Larson then hit the wall hard.

NASCAR officials confirmed that Stenhouse had won under video review. When the yellow light comes on during overtime of a race, time is stopped and officials can review video to see who is leading at that moment. Although this rule isn't always utilized, it did help Stenhouse secure victory.

Stage 1

NASCAR's official start-of-season event, the 65th Daytona 500 is always an exciting opener. This year we have an impressive field of 40 cars expected to cover well over 500 miles and we're going to take you through all the action - including prerace ceremonies, start line updates, weather reports and more as we count down to the green flag!

The race got off to a strong start with Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson leading the field to the green. The initial stages were almost fault-free, but an unfortunate accident in the middle of the race sent several prominent names into the wall.

Brad Keselowski emerged as the stage victor after successfully navigating all pit stops without incident. On the second stage, Ross Chastain pulled away from Joey Logano to win it comfortably.

After the second stage, the race entered its third stage and appeared headed for overtime. But a crash between Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott sent nine big-name drivers into the wall, setting up today's dramatic finish.

With three laps remaining in the race, Stenhouse surged ahead and took command of the lead. He held onto it briefly but then got involved in a massive wreck behind him that ended his chances of victory.

As the race returned to regulation distance, Denny Hamlin delivered a massive push into Chase Elliott's car that caused an 11th caution and sent it into overtime. It was then up to Larson, Bowman and William Byron to battle it out over the final six laps for victory.

Stage 2

Stage 2 was an entertaining watch. But things took an interesting turn when Ross Chastain leaped into Chase Elliott's quarter panel and almost flipped him over.

Once the field came together again, it was still an exciting race to see who could get off the pole first. But then things got a bit dicey in the closing laps as drivers battled for position.

On the back stretch of Stage 2, Ross Chastain ran into Chase Elliott in what appeared to be a minor collision. Hamlin attempted to clear him away before trying to hit his teammate in the face; however, this attempt proved ineffective.

Chastain and Hamlin exchanged several laps, with Hamlin swiping at him from behind. On the restart, however, Hamlin got into Chastain's quarter panel which sent him spinning.

It was an extraordinary race, culminating in one of racing's greatest surprises: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s last-lap win gave JTG Daugherty Racing its first Daytona 500 victory!

On the third lap, car 47 took command when the caution flag came out after the white flag had already been waved and held on to win. Joey Logano finished second and Christopher Bell third.

But it wasn't over yet; Austin Dillon made a last-lap pass to Bubba Wallace for the lead. On the next restart, Larson made another push down the backstretch and was running four wide with Dillon, Hamlin and Ross Chastain.

On the final lap, a crash involving Larson, Hamlin and Chastain sent the field into overtime; that culminated with an epic wreck that gave Stenhouse victory and restored his Daytona 500 lead.

Stage 3

At the end of a dramatic race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the lead and held it until an epic wreck behind him on the final lap. That set up an exhilarating finish as Stenhouse edged Joey Logano for victory in a thrilling finish.

On the third overtime restart, JTG Daugherty Racing driver Stenhouse took command and pulled away from Logano and Christopher Bell to win the race. Additionally, he held off Kyle Larson and Travis Pastrana for his first career Daytona 500 victory.

After a relatively calm start to Stage 2, things took an unexpected turn on Lap 182 when Ryan Preece rolled into Turn 1 and caused a pileup that claimed several drivers including Michael McDowell, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick.

This race was expected to face major fuel issues at some point, yet it didn't occur until Stage 3. After a lengthy green-flag run towards the finish, everyone ran out of fuel.

The opening stage was somewhat chaotic, but no major accidents disrupted racing. Brad Keselowski claimed victory by a car length ahead of Martin Truex Jr. The Fords got an advantage early on as drivers like Keselowski and Ryan Preece pitted on lap 37 for Fords.

Stage three ended with an incident that saw many cars pile up. Nevertheless, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez managed to finish in the top six positions.

Overtime

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is an exhilarating race series that draws millions of fans every year. Overtime is one of the most thrilling aspects of any race, especially when it's necessary to decide a victor. Unfortunately, it also presents one of the greatest risks as drivers scramble for positions at high speeds.

Sunday's Daytona 500 saw two late restarts that sent the race into overtime. With four laps remaining, Austin Dillon and William Byron collided, igniting a 13-car pileup along the backstretch. Following this, Stenhouse Jr. made another attempt at taking the green flag - this time successfully!

Stenhouse ultimately prevailed in the Daytona 500, coming back from a late crash that had dropped him to the back of the field. Throughout the race, he remained an elite contender and stayed focused on finishing strong.

After the restart, Stenhouse lined up behind David Ragan for a chance at the lead. As they made their way down the backstretch, he surged past Ragan and held onto it throughout the remainder of the race.

Ultimately, the race had to go three extra laps. Following the third restart, Stenhouse went on to win the race, marking his first win in both the Daytona 500 and his first career win at Daytona International Speedway.

Overtime is one of the most thrilling parts to watch, yet it can be complicated to comprehend how it works. In reality, there are numerous rules in place to prevent chaos and danger that extra racing may bring about.

On the last laps, a caution will often come out and force the race into overtime. At this point, cars are lined up behind the pace car and released for an exciting two-lap shootout to determine who will emerge victorious. If that leader makes it back around to the starting line, whatever color the flag is will signal the end of the contest - usually.