Kyle Larson Wins Daytona 500 in Thrilling Photo Finish Over Ryan Blaney

Kyle Larson claimed his first Daytona 500 victory on Monday afternoon in dramatic fashion, edging Ryan Blaney by just 0.006 seconds in the closest finish in the race's storied 68-year history, sending the capacity crowd of 101,500 at Daytona International Speedway into a frenzy as NASCAR's biggest prize was decided by the narrowest of margins.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver perfectly timed his final move, pulling alongside Blaney's Ford Mustang with 200 yards to go before the two cars crossed the finish line in a photo finish that required several minutes of review by NASCAR officials. Larson's Chevrolet Camaro was declared the winner by mere inches, capping a masterful drive that saw him overcome early mechanical issues to claim the sport's most prestigious victory.

"I can't believe we just won the Daytona 500," Larson said during his emotional victory lane celebration. "This is what every NASCAR driver dreams of from the time they're kids. To win it in a photo finish like that, with my family watching, it's the greatest moment of my racing career. My team never gave up on this car, and now we're Daytona 500 champions."

The race was marked by intense pack racing and multiple lead changes throughout the 200-lap contest, with 15 different drivers leading at various points. Larson's path to victory was far from smooth, as his No. 5 Chevrolet suffered a loose wheel early in the race that dropped him two laps behind the field and seemingly out of contention for the win.

A series of well-timed cautions and strategic fuel mileage decisions by crew chief Cliff Daniels put Larson back in position to contend with 50 laps remaining. The California native methodically worked his way through the field, ultimately positioning himself perfectly for the final restart with 10 laps to go when he had clear track position and the momentum needed to challenge for the victory.

The triumph represents Larson's 22nd Cup Series victory and his first in NASCAR's crown jewel event, adding the missing piece to what is already a Hall of Fame-caliber career. The victory also provides crucial momentum for Hendrick Motorsports as they begin their 2026 championship campaign, proving once again that experience and strategic execution remain key factors in winning NASCAR's biggest races.