Daytona Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Joey Logano won the Daytona 500 for
the first time after holding off the field in a green-white-checkered finish
on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.
Logano, the driver of the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske, claimed his ninth
career victory in the Sprint Cup Series. His previous best finish in the
Daytona 500 was ninth, which occurred in the 2012 race. Logano becomes the
first driver this season to be virtually guaranteed a spot in the Chase for
the Sprint Cup championship field.
“We won the Daytona 500, guys,” Logano joyfully said over his team radio after
he took the checkered flag for the 57th running of NASCAR’s most prestigious
race.
The race ended under caution after a multi-car wreck took place on the
backstretch during the 203rd and final lap. Jeff Gordon, the pole sitter, and
Austin Dillon made contact and spun out, triggering the incident. Gordon
competed in his 23rd and final Daytona 500. He led the most laps with 87 but
ended up finishing 33rd.
Kevin Harvick, the defending Sprint Cup champion, finished second, while Dale
Earnhardt Jr., who won the Daytona 500 last year, placed third. Denny Hamlin
and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top-five.
Logano gave team owner Roger Penske his second Daytona 500 victory. Penske’s
first win in this race happened in 2008 with driver Ryan Newman. Penske has a
record 15 victories in the Indianapolis 500.
