The roar of engines mixed with the patter of raindrops at Daytona International Speedway, as NASCAR’s best drivers battled the elements and each other in pursuit of glory at the 65th running of the “Great American Race.” But when the rain-delayed Daytona 500 finally reached its overtime conclusion late Sunday night, it was a familiar face emerging from the pack to etch his name in the history books once again.
Byron Tames Daytona for Second Straight Year
William Byron, the 25-year-old phenom driving the iconic #24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, proved that his 2024 Daytona 500 victory was no fluke by doing it again in 2025. Byron survived multiple late-race restarts and charged to the front when it mattered most, holding off a hard-charging Tyler Reddick and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson to secure his second straight win in NASCAR’s biggest race.
The path to victory lane was anything but smooth for Byron and the rest of the field. Persistent showers drenched the 2.5-mile superspeedway throughout the day, leading to nearly six hours of delays. The race finally resumed under the lights, setting the stage for a dramatic dash to the finish.
Wrecks, Red Flags Shake Up the Field
The closing laps were punctuated by several multi-car accidents that whittled down the contenders. The most notable incident involved reigning series champion Joey Logano, whose battered #22 Ford limped to the garage after being swept up in a crash that sent Ryan Preece’s car airborne. The wreck was one of three that forced the red flag to fly, allowing track crews to clean up the debris.
My car was destroyed, but I’m just glad everyone is okay. It’s unfortunate, but that’s superspeedway racing. We’ll regroup and be ready for California.
– Joey Logano
Experience Shines in Overtime Shootout
The final restart with just two laps to go set up a trophy dash between Byron, Reddick’s #8 Chevy, and Johnson in the part-time #84 entry. Byron got a near-perfect restart and was able to clear Reddick thanks to a timely push from Johnson. From there, Byron expertly blocked both lanes to maintain his slender advantage as the pack streaked through the final two corners and onto the frontstretch.
As the checkered flag waved, it was Byron’s #24 taking the win by a scant 0.119 seconds over Reddick. The margin of victory was the sixth closest in the history of NASCAR’s most prestigious race.
I still can’t believe this is real. To win the Daytona 500 once was a dream come true, but to do it again, I’m just speechless. My crew gave me an amazing car, and I just had to go out there and finish the job. I’ve got to thank Jimmie for the push on that last restart. He’s still got it!
– William Byron
Hall of Famer Johnson Shines in One-Off Appearance
While Byron celebrated in victory lane, much of the post-race attention centered on the impressive third-place result for Johnson. The seven-time Cup Series champion was making his first start in NASCAR’s top division since stepping away from full-time competition after the 2020 season.
Driving for the part-time Legacy Motor Club outfit co-owned by fellow legends Richard Petty and Maury Gallagher, Johnson showed that he still had plenty of speed despite his limited schedule. His ability to dodge wrecks and surge to the front in the closing laps left many wondering if this one-off appearance could lead to additional select starts later in the season.
Man, I was having a blast out there! It’s great to come back and mix it up with these young guys. William did an amazing job, but I think if we had a few more laps I might have had something for him. We’ll have to see what the future holds.
– Jimmie Johnson
Daytona Delivers Another Instant Classic
The 2025 edition of the “Great American Race” provided all the drama, excitement and unpredictability that have become hallmarks of the season-opening NASCAR showcase. From pre-race pomp to post-race fireworks, Speedweeks delivered despite uncooperative weather.
- Star-studded grid: In addition to Johnson, the race featured high-profile appearances from celebrities like “Captain America” star Anthony Mackie and former President Donald Trump.
- Game-changing wrecks: Nine caution flags slowed the race, including four multi-car pileups in the last 20 laps that completely changed the complexion of the event.
- Youth prevails: At 25 years old, Byron became the second youngest driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, trailing only Jeff Gordon’s 1997-98 results.
As Byron and his Hendrick Motorsports crew celebrated a second straight trip to victory lane, the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field began turning their attention to next weekend’s race at Auto Club Speedway in California. But as the haulers pulled out of the Daytona infield, the consensus was clear: the 65th Daytona 500 was one for the ages, and a sign that the 2025 NASCAR season could be the most competitive and thrilling in recent memory.
