OT crash clears way for William Byron's repeat win at Daytona

William Byron found himself way behind in the final restart at Daytona International Speedway Sunday night, but it turned out to be a right-place, right-time moment.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver made a white-flag run with a melee unfolding in front of him in a two-lap overtime dash, stunning NASCAR Cup Series fans and also recording his second straight season-opening Daytona 500 victory in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Running ninth as the overtime started at high-banked Daytona International Speedway, Byron went high in his No. 24 Chevrolet and avoided a backstretch wreck between leader Denny Hamlin, Austin Cindric, Cole Custer and others in the low lane.

Byron recorded his 14th career victory and produced the 10th win at the 500 for Hendrick Motorsports, breaking a tie with Petty Motorsports.

"Obviously, some good fortune, but I trusted my instinct on the last lap there," said Byron, who led four Toyotas to the checkers. "I felt they were getting squirrely on the bottom. I was going (high) lane regardless because I was sixth coming down the back. I was fortunate and it worked out in our favor.

"Crazy. I can't honestly believe that."

Tyler Reddick was second followed by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Chase Briscoe and John Hunter Nemechek.

Hamlin, who finished 24th, felt Custer's No. 41 Ford came down on him too soon.

"The 41 had a run, and I chose not to block him," the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver said. "In these races, you've got to live to make it off Turn 4, but we didn't. I thought the 41 came down. I'm pushing (Cindric) down as low as I can and giving the 41 all the space and not stopping his run. I thought he steered left.

"In those situations, we've got to get off 4, then we can do this."

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