NASCAR: Five Best Finishes from 2016

By Matt Lovisa | Jan 4, 2017

Feb 21, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) beats NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (78) to win the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin scored his first ever Daytona 500 win by edging Martin Truex Jr. in the season opening race by .010 seconds. This was the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.

One of the best finishes of the season to start the season? Why not.

After the race, Hamlin said he had no anticipations of winning the race when the white flag flew for the final lap. “I didn’t know we had won. I knew it was close. I saw the pylon change and blink at the last second with the 11,” said Hamlin after the race. “I heard people on the radio crazy and excited and assumed we won at that point.”

What a way to start the season.

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