This year’s NASCAR race at Daytona gives the term photo finish a new meaning.
“The closest 500 ever” description given by one of the commentators at the end of the race might appear to be quite a stretch, but, as it turns out, it was the closest margin in Daytona 500’s long 58-year history and the closest finish since electronic scoring was implemented in 1993.
Just 0.010 seconds separated Martin Turex Jr. from the winner, Denny Hamlin, after the latter swirled pass his teammate only to inch (literally) in the lead. Even so, according to Hamlin, his initial role served only as a wing man for Matt Kenseth, blocking Kevin Harvick’s Chevrolet from getting in front:
“I can assure you and promise to God to you that my plan was to block the 4 car [Harvick] from getting to the front three.”
Or at least that was the plan. As Harvick was bumping into Hamlin Hamlin ‘s car, he nudged the Toyota driver into the lead. Needless to say, what followed next was worthy of a particular NASCSAR flick of yore (Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise), as Hamlin managed to cross the line first in a moment that made history.
“I just went with it and we ended up with a victory,” Hamlin said.
H/T to Orlando Sentinel