Daytona 500 takeaways: Tyler Reddick makes last-lap pass to win record-setting race

The win is not only Reddick's first in the Daytona 500, but it also marks the first win for team co-owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan in the "Great American Race." Furthermore, it follows an emotional 2025 season for Reddick, whose youngest son, Rookie, dealt with serious health issues.

In a race that featured 66 lead changes and saw 12th-place finisher Byron come up short in his bid to become the first driver to win three straight Daytona 500s, Reddick delivered his own version of a buzzer-beater on the last lap and returned to Victory Lane on the sport's biggest stage.

The "Big One" wipes out several contenders in Stage 2

Before the chaotic final lap, the closing laps of Stage 2 offered a preview of what was to come later on. As Hamlin made an aggressive move to the outside of race-leader Justin Allgaier in the tri-oval with 77 laps remaining, Allgaier made a late move to block and was one of 17 drivers involved in the incident.

Alex Bowman and Todd Gilliland joined Allgaier as drivers who were forced to retire from the race after sustaining too much damage. That was one of five cautions in the 200-lap race, but it was by far the biggest one as drivers positioned themselves for track position ahead of the final 70-lap stage.

Fuel-saving dominates majority of final stage

Since the inception of the Next Gen Car in 2022, it has become common practice for drivers to go into fuel conservation on superspeedways. That was especially the case in the final stage on Sunday, which went green from the lap 136 restart until green-flag stops began with 20 to go on Lap 181.

The thrilling finish and historic number of leaders throughout the race speak for the intensity and overall excitement that drafting-style tracks still provide. However, as Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has voiced his frustration with, this is a recurring issue on superspeedways. 

It may not be the most popular among the fan base and for some within the industry, but fuel-saving has become an added element in the pack, and it was noticeable once again in Sunday's Daytona 500.