What It Is
Denny Hamlin’s thrilling victory in the 2016 Daytona 500 on February 21, 2016, beating Martin Truex Jr. by 0.010 seconds - the closest finish in Daytona 500 history. The finish came after a green-white-checkered restart following a late caution.
Why It Matters
The photo finish required frame-by-frame replay analysis to determine the winner. Hamlin’s second Daytona 500 victory (also won 2019, 2020) came in the first NASCAR race after the sport modernized its rules package, and the dramatic finish generated massive media attention during the “Great American Race.”
Impact
The race was watched by millions on Fox and became one of NASCAR’s most-replayed finishes. Hamlin’s victory in car #11 for Joe Gibbs Racing added to the Daytona 500’s legacy of photo finishes and showcased the importance of drafting and positioning on the final lap.
Source: