Byron wins Daytona 500

Image: James Gilbert/Getty Images

Daytona 500:

"I am so confused." My first thought as the checkered flag was waving over Daytona International Speedway. What had happened was William Byron had won the 2024 Daytona 500 Monday night after rain delayed the Great American Race from Sunday to Monday. It is Byron's first Daytona 500 as the 26-year-old kicks off the season trying to build off the momentum of a 6-win and Championship 4 appearance in 2023. And while William had survived the late cautions and deserved to win, it was a confusing finish and one that, after a solid race, left a sour taste in my mouth.

The race by all means was a good race. Was it odd that much of the racing was done at partial throttle due to the fuel saving strategy that dominated most of race? Yes, but it still delivered exceptional side-by-side racing for most of the night. Comers and goers, strategy, and passing had me glued to the broadcast and excited for what was sure to be a thrilling finish. And it had the makings of that even after the Big One with seven laps to go in the race. But then came the final restart and, while thrilling, was a bit of a let down as to what could have happened over the last 2.5 miles.

Then came the actual finish of the race. Green flag with a few laps remaining; no giving, all taking; aggression; and doing what it takes to win the Daytona 500. I was on edge waiting to see who timed the runs and blocks correctly, hoping someone I liked would soon be hoisting the Harley J. Earl trophy. And while the end result was a Hendrick Chevrolet in Victory Lane (perfectly acceptable to me), it was how it played out that left me briefly confused and still salty we didn't get a green flag finish. Corey Lajoie took his run (fair move) and Cindric tried (terribly) to block it (also a fair move). Chastain sees this play out and takes his run to the inside, but just didn't have enough space and to pull it off and calamity followed. And let me me just say: if any of those aggressive moves work then that driver may win the Daytona 500 and they look like a damn genius. But it didn't and we had a brief moment (may still be in this moment) of confusion. I was certain that NASCAR, who is usually caution flag trigger happy, had smashed the caution button the second Chastain and Cindric took their non-celebratory donuts in the infield. But that didn't happen. Then it appeared that Alex Bowman was ahead and he was the winner - which would have been fantastic! Then the FOX Booth kept saying Byron was the winner. But how? Bowman was ahead when the caution lights came on! Surely he was the winner or we would get some statement from NASCAR that they actually hit the button before the white flag and we'd get a nothing thrilling overtime finish. And mere seconds later a subdued FOX booth announces William Byron as the winner of the 66th rendition of the Great American Race as we hear the officials channel in the background declaring Byron the winner. Hmph.

All things considered: the race was great and the finish was a letdown. Sure, I was happy with Hendrick winning in the iconic 24 car on their 40th anniversary of their first Daytona 500 start, but was still bummed that what was such an intense and interesting race would end in the shade of uncertainty, confusion, and the avoidable and idiotic conspiracies. It took a bit of time after race to receive clarity from NASCAR - which is understandable but I remain optimistic that we will one day receive updates like this immediately.

After the checkered flag, happy and slightly confused, I was ultimately relieved to have NASCAR back on my TV. I am excited for what the season holds, and look forward to tuning in Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway this Sunday!

Picks for the weekend:

Trucks - Kyle Busch

Xfinity - Austin Hill

Cup - Blaney