In a dramatic and weather-interrupted 67th Daytona 500, William Byron secured his second consecutive victory, making him the first back-to-back winner since Denny Hamlin in 2019-2020. The race, held at Daytona International Speedway on February 16th, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida, was marked by multiple rain delays and a series of late-race crashes that reshaped the leaderboard quickly.
Byron, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, started the overtime period in ninth position. A significant wreck on the backstretch during the final restart allowed him to pass and navigate through the chaos and take the lead. This victory not only adds to Byron’s impressive resume but also marks the 10th Daytona 500 win for Hendrick Motorsports, breaking their tie with Petty Enterprises for the most in NASCAR history.
The race was heavily influenced by weather conditions, with a near four-hour rain delay halting proceedings early on in the race. Despite the interruptions, the drivers maintained high energy, leading to intense competition on the track. Notable incidents included a major crash involving Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Busch, among others, which significantly altered the race dynamics.
Tyler Reddick finished second, showcasing a strong performance throughout the event. Veteran driver Jimmie Johnson made a remarkable return, securing a third-place finish, followed by Chase Briscoe and John Hunter Nemechek rounding out the top five.
Off the track, the event garnered additional attention with the presence of President Donald Trump, who attended the race and participated in pre-race ceremonies, including a lap around the track in the presendential limousine, “The Beast.”
Byron’s victory at Daytona sets a positive tone for this 2025 season, as he aims to build on this momentum in pursuit of the NASCAR Cup Series championship held in November.
