The race started a day late and basically ended a lap early, but it all worked out pretty well for William Byron, who won Monday’s rain-delayed Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway’s iconic 2.5-mile track.
Coming to the white flag signaling the last lap of the race, Byron was racing hard to hold onto his lead the rest of the field, including Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman. But contact between Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric brought out a caution flag.
Because NASCAR officials determined Byron, the race leader, crossed the start-finish line to begin his final lap before the caution came out, the race was over, Byron was declared the winner and the No. 24 Chevrolet was back in Victory Lane at the Daytona 500. Bowman finished second, Christopher Bell third, Corey LaJoie fourth and Bubba Wallace fifth.
A race he'll never forget! @WilliamByron is a #DAYTONA500 Champion! pic.twitter.com/TRAPvHjZni
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024
The season-opening win is the 11th career checkered flag of Byron’s career, as he begins his seventh full-time Cup Series season. And it comes on the heels of a standout career-best six-win 2023 season.
Here are 12 of the best photos from the end of the race and Byron and his team celebrating their 2024 Daytona 500 win.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393221]