DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Austin Dillon of Davidson County has won Sunday’s 60th annual Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in the No. Dillon was just 7 years old when Earnhardt won that Daytona 500 in 1998 and was in Victory Lane to watch his idol wave the checkered flag. Dillon drove the iconic car number made famous by Dale Earnhardt to the win 17 years to the day the Hall of Famer was killed in an accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500. The win also comes during the 20th anniversary celebration of Earnhardt’s only victory in “The Great American Race.”

Dillon wasn’t a factor in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet until the final lap in overtime when he got a push from Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. that helped him get to leader Aric Almirola. "I looked up, seen the board up here, the 3 and the 43, I thought, how special is that for the history," Childress said. "My grandfather has done everything for me and everybody knows it," Dillon said after the race, via the Associated Press. "He said his last Daytona didn't go well, either, and I was like, 'Oh wow, I don't remember that. 3, there's a lot of pressure behind it, but I'm willing to take it and go with it." Dillon was 7 when Earnhardt won his Daytona 500 and was photographed alongside his brother with The Intimidator on that victorious day in 1998. I thought we had a good car today, but you just try to figure out what you can do better for next time.” 3 Things That Will Change the World Today “Yeah, you’re disappointed, you dominate a good race, but that’s the way it goes.”

After celebrating his victory, Dillon said:

The Daytona 500 is part of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Austin Dillon strolled into Daytona’s victory circle 20 years ago as a seven-year-old smitten by all the confetti and champagne and celebratory hugs to celebrate a man called Dale Earnhardt. We’re going to keep kicking butt the rest of the year.”

Wallace, the first black driver in the Daytona 500 field since 1969, finished second in a 1-2 finish for Chevrolet and Childress’ engine program. You can reach him at luke.christou@verdict.co.uk

Ryan Blaney may have led the race for 118 laps, but it was Austin Dillon who passed the checkered flag first to claim victory at the 2018 Daytona 500, the 60th running of this prestigious stock car race. Ryan Blaney spun defending race winner Kurt Busch with two laps to go in regulation, settling off a 12-car melee that included several top contenders.
Austin Dillon wins the 60th Daytona 500.