It’s called The Great American Race for a reason.
The Daytona 500 (Feb. 15 on FOX) has provided many memorable moments — everything from fighting to dancing when drivers exited the car, and everything from dramatic contact to dramatic finishes.
So let’s count down my top 20 Daytona 500 memorable moments.
You might not consider some of these to be great, but they sure are memorable.
No. 20: 2016 Daytona 500
After Matt Kenseth’s block attempt went awry thanks to the fast run from behind, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. went side-by-side to the finish line with Hamlin winning by 0.01 seconds — the closest margin in race history. It was the first of what is now three Daytona 500 wins for Hamlin, but also will be remembered as a battle between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin and Kenseth at the end.
Hamlin pulled a couple of moves on Kenseth, and they made slight contact as Kenseth appeared to attempt to side-draft him after he pulled underneath him, a move that followed an attempt to pass Kenseth up against the wall.
19. 2018 Daytona 500
Austin Dillon would not be denied when he tried to pass Aric Almirola on the final lap. Almirola blocked him once to the outside and then again on the inside before Dillon made another move to the outside. Almirola ended up in the wall while Dillon sped to the victory.
Dillon’s win put the iconic No. 3 back in Daytona 500 victory lane and Dillon followed the win with a burnout celebration making No. 3s in the Daytona grass.
18: 1988 Daytona 500
Father-and-son. Bobby Allison wins, while his son, Davey, tries to make a move to the bottom on the final lap but to no avail and finishes second. Davey Allison visited Victory Lane and celebrated a little with his father.
Davey said: “When I was a little kid, I always dreamed of racing with my dad and having a 1-2 finish, but I wanted him to be second.” For Allison fans, this was the best.
No. 17: 1989 Daytona 500
Darrell Waltrip leads the final four laps and earns his first Daytona 500 victory. It was one of the most memorable Victory Lane celebrations. Waltrip was in tears — tears of joy. And then he danced, doing his version of the “Ickey Shuffle,” a move made popular by football player Ickey Woods during his touchdown celebrations. When you talk about the thrill of victory, this is what you’re talking about.
Check back daily for the next memorable moment in the countdown.
