Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had gone 199 NASCAR Cup Series races without a win. He had no interest in making it a bicentennial.
Stenhouse, the driver of the lone JTG Daugherty Racing entry in this year's Daytona 500 field, captured the checkered flag at the World Center of Racing on Sunday night, edging Joey Logano in overtime.
MORE: How NASCAR decided Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the 2023 Daytona 500
The event became an instant classic. It was the longest-running edition of the iconic race at 212 laps, and it came down to a trio of wrecks in the final stage.
For a while, it looked as if Kyle Busch or Brad Keselowski would finish on top and further cementing their place among the sport's greatest racers. But Daniel Suarez's wreck ensured that wouldn't happen as the race was forced into overtime.
MORE: Kyle Busch laments late crashes that denied him a win: 'Back in 1998, that would be the win'
The ensuing two-lap shootout separating racers from greatness was bound to be hectic. Austin Dillon, who spent much of the day pushing his Richard Childress Racing teammate Busch, spun out, prompting a dozen-car pile-up and another green-white-checkered attempt.
On the restart, Stenhouse and Logano jostled back and forth. The front of the field was bound to get crowded, though, and when Kyle Larson's car collided with the inside wall, Stenhouse held the slightest of margins over Logano as NASCAR threw the caution flag.
MORE: Why Fox's Daytona 500 'driver's eye' camera is blurring out dashboard
"I made a few mistakes, we were able to battle back," Stenhouse told Fox Sports after the race.
"We were out of fuel, so the fuel light was going crazy. I hope y'all had fun, that was a heck of a race," he added.
Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. talks with @JamieLittleTV. pic.twitter.com/hk56hTy7eH
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 20, 2023
MORE: Watch NASCAR races live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Sunday's race at Daytona International Speedway. Below are the highlights and live results from 65th running of The Great American Race.
Daytona 500 live updates, highlights from 2023 race
(All times Eastern)
6:55 p.m.: CAUTION! CHECKERED FLAG! Stenhouse wins the Daytona 500! He just inched in front of Logano before the yellow was waved. What a race.
RT to congratulate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on his #DAYTONA500 win! pic.twitter.com/OstRwcdmFi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
6:53 p.m.: Big gap between Allmendinger and Bell. Stenhouse still holds the lead.
6:51 p.m.: Ready to go green. The longest Daytona 500 in history might be approaching its end.
6:49 p.m.: Expect Keselowski to be aggressive on the race restart ahead of yet another overtime period.
6:46 p.m.: Busch still in the mix, as well. Is this the year?
6:43 p.m.: Stenhouse leads the Daytona 500 as we ready to return to green, It's anybody's race.
6:37 p.m.: CAUTION! The field stacks up on the back straightaway, with Dillon veering into the outside lane. A dozen or so cars get caught up, which will almost certainly result in someone other than an RCR car ending the day in the winner's circle. We go again.
Oh my. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/QuYIVJjjtC
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
6:36 p.m.: We're back to green. Two laps to go.
6:33 p.m.: Ever the entertainer, Kyle Busch had this to say.
"Back in 1998 that would be the win, boys."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) February 19, 2023
Kyle Busch
6:31 p.m.: Overtime. Here we go.
6:29 p.m.: CAUTION! Suarez spins into the infield, prompting the yellow flag to be waved. This ending is going to be tense.
6:27 p.m.: Busch takes the lead! Keselowski drops all the way to sixth. Just three laps to go now. Dillon and Busch are in cahoots, as one would expect.
6:25 p.m.: Keselowski and Busch are still seeking their first career Daytona 500 wins. They are in prime position to cement their legacies with a dub here.
6:23 p.m.: RFK's dynamic duo of Keselowski and Buescher holding firm over RCR's team of Dillon and Busch. Just eight laps to go!
6:22 p.m.: Allmendinger leads the way after the restart. Johnson's No. 84 car is lurking just outside the top five.
6:13 p.m.: Burton will nab the lead after the big jam-fest. Just 16 laps left.
6:08 p.m.: CAUTION! Big pile-up with 19 laps to go. Looks like Preece and McDowell spun out, causing a big ol' wreck that will likely knock out multiple cars.
A pileup in Turn 1. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/JOF6qWkCGo
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
6:06 p.m.: Burton the last driver to reach pit road.Now 20 laps to go. Things are getting interesting.
6:03 p.m.: Hamlin will pit soon, according to Bob Pockrass.
Hamlin told likely pitting in the next 10 laps.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 19, 2023
6 p.m.: Wallace headed to pit road to get fuel. That should be the impetus for a wave of drivers to head to the pits.
5:54 p.m.: Wallace and Busch hoping to make do with less fuel. If they can get themselves to pit road and get out quickly, they'll give themselves a chance to race up the standings.
5:53 p.m.: Hamlin passes Suarez, who moves to the middle of the track. The No. 99 car just doesn't have the speed to lead the inside lane.
5:51 p.m.: Buescher and Keselowski keeping one another entertained at the front of the field, followed by Almirola, Cindric, Preece and 22-year old Harrison Burton.
5:45 p.m.: Hamlin-Buescher-LaJoie-Keselowski-Haley leading the pack at the moment. A real back-and-forth display.
5:43 p.m.: Johnson in seventh place with 50 laps to go. What a performance by the OG.
5:39 p.m.: Cindric flips spots with Wallace, who proceeds to drop like a stone due to his dwindling fuel supply. He's now down to 16th.
5:38 p.m.: We're back to green. It's Almirola at the front, followed by Buescher. Wallace has less fuel than other racers, having stayed out on the track.
5:34 p.m.: Now 58 laps to go. We are under caution but going green soon. The No. 48 car had a bit of a cosmetic issue, but things seem to be fine under the hood.
5:20 p.m.: Caution flag waved after Blaney's tire flies off into the middle of the track. That might be the end of the day for the Team Penske star.
5:13 p.m.: Chastain and Bowman jostling for first on the final lap of the second stage. Chastain takes it by a couple inches! Pitbull will be happy about that.
Ross Chastain wins Stage 2. pic.twitter.com/MaonIQ8ceh
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 19, 2023
5:12 p.m.: Allmendinger drew a lot of racers' ire by using a running pick to nab the lucky dog in Stage 1. However, the aggressive move looks to be paying off for him — he's in the top-five with three laps to go in Stage 2.
5:05 p.m.: Harvick and Larson headed to pit road under caution. Might take them out of contention for the stage points, but gives them a better chance to compete or the checkered flag.
5:03 p.m.: Reddick, Jones, Elliott all out after the collision, which started when Harvick tapped into the No. 45 car going around the turn. Blaney, Suarez, Truex and Larson all suffered damage, as well.
5 p.m.: CAUTION! Big wreck after Reddick goes into the wall. Lots of collateral damage, with Blaney, Jones and Elliott all getting caught up in the mix-up.
Trouble. Here's what happened. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/YlNExBriS9
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
4:57 p.m.: Busch, Wallace, Zane Smith and Travis Pastrana competing for the free pass as we approach the end of Stage 2.
4:55 p.m.: Things got interesting a few laps ago, with racers going three wide after the lanes got packed.
4:52 p.m.: After the carousel that is pit stops, it's Joey Logano who holds the lead. 112 laps down, 98 more to go.
4:50 p.m.: Busch comes in too hot on pit road. He's get pinned with a pass-through penalty.
4:47 p.m.: Keselowski has never won a Daytona 500. He's led the most laps through 108 laps, a very impressive showing all things considering.
4:39 p.m.: All Fords in the top-five as we approach the halfway point of the race. Here's the order as follows:
- Brad Keselowski
- Ryan Preece
- Kevin Harvick
- Michael McDowell
- Aric Almirola
4:36 p.m.: Johnson in the top 10. The future NASCAR Hall of Famer just doesn't know when to quit.
4:35 p.m.: Busch has climbed all the way up to eighth place in a backup car. Impressive showing by the new Richard Childress Racing driver.
4:25 p.m.: AJ Allmendinger didn't earn himself new friends after securing the free pass at the end of Stage 1 by using a running pick on fellow drivers. Just ask Ryan Blaney:
.@AJDinger's decision to not get out of the way earned him the free pass. But didn't earn him friends.@Blaney was negatively impacted. "AJ Allmendinger is the stupidest race car driver ever." Said that "was not smart." #NASCAR
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) February 19, 2023
4:21 p.m.: Stage 2 underway, with Keselowski and Preece at the top of their respective lines.
4:15 p.m.: Stage points breakdown, provided by The Athletic's Jeff Gluck.
Brad Keselowski wins Stage 1 at the #Daytona500. One playoff point for him and 10 stage points.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 19, 2023
Others getting stage points:
2. Preece
3. Buescher
4. Harvick
5. McDowell
6. Gibbs
7. Johnson
8. Almirola
9. Truex
10. Gilliland
First caution of the day.
4:11 p.m.: Caution flag waved at the end of the stage, giving Wallace the opportunity to make some adjustments at pit road.
Bubba Wallace says his steering well is a little bit off following the contact with the wall. Team is planning to make further repairs to the 23 car during this caution.
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) February 19, 2023
4:07 p.m.: It's Keselowski, Preece and Buescher competing for the stage victory. Keselowski takes the stage! Slick play by the Cup Series veteran, who gets a car-length in front of Preece to nab 10 stage points.
STAGE ONE DUB Y'ALL 👏🏼@keselowski | #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/CtWewHO6Cj
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) February 19, 2023
4:06 p.m.: Three laps left and we are single file. It's Truex-Hamlin-Gibbs-Almirola-Keselowski.
4:01 p.m.: It was contact from Toyota teammate Martin Truex Jr. that forced Wallace into the wall. He finds himself a lap down. Truex got bumped by 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, which pushed him into Wallace. Unfortunate for the driver who finished second in last year's iteration of the race.
Bubba Wallace gets a bump from Martin Truex Jr. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/FPpuqlhmYL
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
3:58 p.m.: Wallace clips the wall while in the lead, sending him down the field quickly. Looks like he might need to go to pit road and get some replacement tires.
3:52 p.m.: Leading the charge with 20 laps to go in Stage 1 is none other than Denny Hamlin, who is seeking his fourth Daytona 500 title. Bell sitting in second, followed by Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace.
3:49 p.m.: The No. 15 car of Riley Herbst just avoids drawing a caution flag after spinning into the pits. He'll be docked a pass-through penalty for a commitment line violation.
Riley Herbst spins coming onto pit road. Got into the back of Kyle Busch as well. Both cars seem ok. @AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/bXR7GADuWq
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) February 19, 2023
3:47 p.m.: Pit stops starting up with the Ford cars. Gragson, who's driving a Chevrolet, had some difficulties pulling in. Had a lot of speed heading in.
3:38 p.m.: Ty Dillon looks to be in a bit of trouble. His No. 77 car is spewing out plumes of smoke through its pipes. Might be an engine issue.
3:35 p.m.: Jimmie Johnson making really decent ground through the opening 25 laps. He's already up 11 spots from where he was once at. The NASCAR Hall of Famer might be on pace for a solid showing if these early laps are any indication.
3:29 p.m.: Christopher Bell wrestles the lead away from Bowman as we approach Lap 20.
3:24 p.m.: Bowman standing firm at the top of the field through nine laps. Larson trailing ever so slightly.
3:18 p.m.: Two-by-two in each row through the first four laps. Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson battling for first place, although things remain quite tight early.
3:16 p.m.: The green flag is waved and we are underway at Daytona!
Pre-race updates
3 p.m.: We're about 15 minutes away from the waving of the green flag. The forecast looks quite promising:
There are clouds but the radar looks good … pic.twitter.com/sqD4JleprX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 19, 2023
2:40 p.m.: Noah Gragson sporting a Big Hat ahead of Sunday's race. Sporting heritage on display.
2:25 p.m.: Driver introductions underway, led by none other than comedian Gabriel Iglesias. So worldly.
Drivers introductions underway at the #Daytona500. pic.twitter.com/d1Z4v9pilN
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 19, 2023
2 p.m.: Whole lot of racing luminaries on site at the World Center of Racing:
Seeing the #Daytona500 grand marshals all sitting together is pretty cool. Front row of the drivers meeting is: Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Joey Logano. All both Cup champs and 500 champs.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 19, 2023
1:37 p.m.: Dierks Bentley rocking out at the pre-race concert. My brother (a country music fan) will be delighted.
1:35 p.m.: Pitbull is here. Yes, that Pitbull. Go figure.
1:25 p.m.: Pre-race tour for Haddish and...Pete Davidson. TMZ is salivating.
NASCAR’s Ben Kennedy giving a garage tour to Pete Davidson and Tiffany Haddish at the #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/GA3bxd9Csp
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 19, 2023
1:05 p.m.: Tiffany Haddish is on location. She'll be waving the green flag to start Sunday's race. Looks like she's got the form down pat, too.
😂 Talking with @TiffanyHaddish is always an adventure and we LOVE it 😂 #DAYTONA500 | #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/RX1V8iQYMi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
12:50 p.m.: Racers take us through their favorite moments in Daytona 500 history. Lots of good ones to choose from. What's your favorite?
As #NASCAR celebrates 75 years, we asked drivers to name their favorite moment in the sport's history. @DAYTONA is special. pic.twitter.com/qYpFqUMe4k
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
12:30 p.m.: Kyle Busch is the only driver headed to the back of the field after wrecking on Thursday.
Ware car is through tech. So only car going to the rear that I am aware of is Busch for a backup car. https://t.co/3v0GC49JGL
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 19, 2023
11:11 a.m.: Hamlin, looking for his fourth win at Daytona, is tied with Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney for the top odds to win the Daytona 500.
Three DAYTONA 500s going for a historic fourth. @dennyhamlin | @JoeGibbsRacing pic.twitter.com/NlDmkOI1rx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 19, 2023
8:59 a.m.: Today starts the official start of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series! And that starts, of course, with pre-race inspection:
First up: #DAYTONA500 pre-race inspection.#HotPass | @bobpockrass pic.twitter.com/Fdv8Y0C6Kh
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
8:36 a.m.: Dierks Bentley, who will perform the pre-race concert at Daytona, is in the house (metaphorically).
It's #DAYTONA500 day! Let's rock!@DierksBentley | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ygqkpqGhGe
— NASCAR Nation (@NASCARNation) February 19, 2023
Daytona 500 2023 starting lineup
Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
1. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
2. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
3. | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
4. | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
5. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
6. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
7. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
8. | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
9. | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
10. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
11. | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
12. | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
13 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
14. | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
15. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
16. | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
17. | Zane Smith | 36 | Front Row Motorsports |
18. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
19. | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
20. | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
21. | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
22. | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
23. | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
24. | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
25. | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
26. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
27. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
28. | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
29. | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
30. | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
31. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JGT Daugherty Racing |
32. | B.J. McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
33. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
34. | Conor Daly | 50 | The Money Team Racing |
35. | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
36. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
37. | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
38. | Riley Herbst | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
39. | Jimmie Johnson | 84 | Legacy Motor Club |
40. | Travis Pastrana | 67 | 23XI Racing |
Daytona 500 start time
- Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Daytona 500 has a 2:30 p.m. ET listed start time. However, given the number of festivities expected to take place on Sunday, green flag is slated to be waved at 3:14 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Daytona 500 on?
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, fuboTV
Fox will handle broadcasting duties for the 2023 Daytona 500, per usual. The booth will be filled with racing luminaries, both in the form of longtime duo Mike Joy (lap-by-lap) and Clint Bowyer (analyst), as well as guest commentators Larry McReynolds and Tony Stewart.
The race will also be live-streamed on FoxSports.com, as well as fuboTV, which offers a free trial.