DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin made history in two ways in the 58th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, becoming the first driver to win in a Toyota and winning the race by its closest margin ever — barely the nose of his car.
Martin Truex Jr. ended up second after a wild finish in which several drivers bumped one another and jockeyed for position as they approached the checkered flag.
Two of the race’s favorites, Chase Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr., could not finish the competition, with Elliott leaving early in the race. Both he and Earnhardt, who are Hendrick Motorsports teammates, lost control of their Chevrolets coming out of Turn 4.