In a Wild Finish to the 2025 Daytona 500, William Byron Goes Back-to-Back

The 2025 Daytona 500 was the scene of high-speed drama, jaw-dropping crashes and a historic finish as William Byron became the first driver in six years to win NASCAR’s biggest race back-to-back. By dodging a last-lap pileup in a wild overtime showdown, Byron earned his second consecutive Daytona 500 trophy and solidified his place as one of NASCAR’s top stars.

Byron’s Unlikely Path to Victory

Byron was ninth on the grid with one lap remaining in overtime. The odds seemed impossible. But as a giant wreck exploded behind him, the 27-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver remained cool under pressure, navigating the carnage to take the checkered flag. “I can’t believe it,” Byron told her. “To win this race twice — it’s a lifetime achievement”.

The win wasn’t merely a matter of luck. Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet avoided catastrophe all evening, surviving two weather delays, a record 16 cautions and a field of frustrated foes. His victory also ended a 10-year Daytona 500 drought for Hendrick Motorsports, giving the team a tie with Petty Enterprises for most Daytona 500 victories (10).

The Last Few Laps Are Utter Scramble

The final moments of the race were pure NASCAR chaos. The defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. triggered a multi-car wreck with 20 laps remaining, collecting former champions Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. “The fastest car got in a hurry to go to a wreck,” Kyle Busch said, fuming after his No. 8 Chevrolet was destroyed. “Logano tried to put a hole there that wasn’t there and caused chaos” .

Busch’s frustration was a shootout away from off the charts. The two-time Cup Series champion was on his 20th try at Daytona, and had referred to the race as “80% luck” just days ago. His elimination continued his infamous 0-for-20 streak in “The Great American Race.”

However, the most significant crash occurred on the final lap. Austin Cindric, Denny Hamlin and Alex Bowman all crashed behind Byron, who remained unscathed as NASCAR determined the time to throw the caution. The Hendrick driver did laps of the track under caution, not knowing if he had won until his crew chief delivered tearful confirmation.

From Sim Racer to Superstar: Byron’s Journey

Byron’s route to Daytona glory is different. A self-taught racer, he practiced on computer simulators before climbing into real stock cars. His consecutive Daytona victories also make him the youngest driver to accomplish the feat, surpassing Jeff Gordon’s record. Gordon, now Byron’s boss at Hendrick, celebrated the milestone: “I hope he breaks all my records!”.

The victory also capped a banner weekend for Hendrick Motorsports, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Team owner Rick Hendrick termed the victory “a storybook moment,” and added, “You couldn’t write a better script”.

Kyle Busch’s Daytona Hex Lives On

While Byron was celebrating, Kyle Busch’s Daytona misery deepened. A favorite in the 2025 race after years of near-misses, the 39-year-old left empty-handed once more. “Twenty years of trying,” Busch had joked in advance of the event, moaning in reference to Dale Earnhardt’s iconic 1998 Daytona 500 victory in his 20th try. But history didn’t repeat itself.

Bush’s anger boiled over after the race. He slammed Logano’s aggressive move that initiated the late wreck, promising, “I owe him one.” The rivalry has added some spice to what is already a dramatic season.

MORE: 2025 Daytona 500 best moments

Jimmie Johnson Back in Action: Seven-time champion, placed third in his return race, best Daytona race since 2013 win.

Presidential Pit Stop: Former President Donald Trump made a pass through with the drivers in his armored limo, “The Beast,” during an on-track parade of vehicles ahead of the race, which drew cheers and boos from the sold-out crowd.

Legacy Motor Club Left a Mark: Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club team had two top-five results from John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.

Heartbreak for Hamlin: Denny Hamlin, a three-time winner of the Daytona 500, crashed late and placed 34th.

What’s Next for NASCAR

Byron’s victory lays the groundwork for a thrilling 2025 season. The Hendrick star is aiming for a bigger prize: “We’re not finished here. We want a championship,” he said. At the same time, others, such as Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, will be looking for redemption — or revenge — on the path to Phoenix.

As for now, NASCAR fans will remember the 2025 Daytona 500 as a race that was the perfect storm in which chaos, history, and raw emotion collided — and William Byron was a legend in the making.