After rain pushed the 66th Daytona 500 to Monday, William Byron got here out victorious amid the chaos the race at all times appears to supply. With the primary race of the season behind us, this is what we discovered:
Hendrick Motorsports is not going wherever anytime quickly
This one comes as no shock, however Hendrick Motorsports — which completed 1-2 at Daytona — is as soon as extra one of many high groups within the sport. Chase Elliott received Stage 1 in an exhilarating photograph end with teammate Kyle Larson, and the staff as an entire led 24 laps.
Though the end between Byron and teammate Alex Bowman was considerably controversial as to who was forward in the mean time of warning, Rick Hendrick in all probability doesn’t thoughts seeing one among his vehicles in victory lane, whatever the quantity. HMS might be a powerful contender as soon as once more in 2024.
Daytona as soon as once more eludes veteran drivers
Veterans Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch are Cup Sequence champions and winners of different crown jewel occasions, however a Daytona 500 win continues to elude each.
Busch led 12 laps and nonetheless completed a stable twelfth whereas Keselowski solely led three laps. Alongside together with his RFK teammate David Ragan, he was up on the entrance late till “The Huge One” struck, with Keselowski getting circled into the backstretch melee that ensued.
The crash finally meant Keselowski completed thirty third, and, like Busch, he was as soon as extra denied his shot at Daytona glory. One other veteran, Denny Hamlin, additionally was concerned within the backstretch chaos, however as a result of he is a three-time Daytona 500 winner, the loss seemingly stung much less.