Joey Logano Wins 2015 Daytona 500: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
The Super Bowl of motorsports ended Sunday with the equivalent of a Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Joey Logano captured the 2015 Daytona 500 under caution as NASCAR's best failed to complete a green-white-checkered finish.
Logano defeated Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the caution flag was thrown for a massive pile-up behind the leaders, effectively ending the race before the final lap could be completed. The drivers had attempted to complete a green-white-checkered finish after a Justin Allgaier crash put the race under a brief red flag.
| 1 | Joey Logano |
| 2 | Kevin Harvick |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin |
| 5 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 6 | Casey Mears |
| 7 | Clint Bowyer |
| 8 | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne |
| 10 | Greg Biffle |
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Logano broke away from the pack early after the restart, establishing a lead of more than a second when the final caution came out. It's unlikely Harvick or Earnhardt would have been able to catch Logano, but that's still not going to quell the disappointment of those who think a race should never end under caution.
The 24-year-old Logano is nonetheless one of the youngest winners in Daytona 500 history.
"I can't believe it," Logano said, per Jay Busbee of Yahoo Sports. "This is absolutely amazing. Daytona 500, oh my God. Are you kidding me? I was so nervous the whole race."
The win is Logano's ninth of his career, seven of which have come since he joined Penske Racing in 2013. Sunday marks just the second Daytona 500 victory for legendary team owner Roger Penske, the other being Ryan Newman's 2008 triumph.
One of the most highly touted young racers in the sport's history, Logano has begun reaching his potential over the last three seasons. He has moved from 17th to eighth to fourth in the points standings and appears to be getting a knack for restrictor-plate racing after years of frustration.
Harvick, the defending points champion, earned his first top-five finish in the Great American Race since 2009. His stellar start to 2015 puts him on a strong track to continue his ascent under the Stewart-Haas Racing banner.
Earnhardt, who won last year's 500, has finished in the top three each of the last four seasons. Only Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough have finished inside the top three in more Daytona 500s, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Pole-sitter Jeff Gordon finished 33rd after being involved in the last-lap crash. Racing in his final 500, Gordon led the way for a race-high 87 laps. The pole-sitter has not won the Daytona 500 since Dale Jarrett did so in 2000.
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