Denny Hamlin was one move away from history at the 2025 Daytona 500. Sitting in prime position in the final laps, the three-time Daytona 500 winner had the checkered flag in his sights. But racing at superspeedways is as unpredictable as a roll of the dice, and on Sunday, Hamlin came up snake eyes.
A chaotic last-lap sequence, a critical miscalculation involving Cole Custer, and an unexpected twist from NASCAR race control all combined to snatch victory from Hamlin’s grasp and hand it to William Byron, who capitalized on the madness to go back-to-back in “The Great American Race.”
How Hamlin Lost the Daytona 500 at the Last Second
Denny Hamlin played the final laps to perfection—or at least, that’s what he thought. With 10 laps to go, the veteran was making all the right moves, carefully positioning himself for a late-race slingshot to the front.
Then, a crucial moment changed everything.
As Riley Herbst spun through the infield grass, Hamlin expected NASCAR to throw the caution flag. The previous day, the Xfinity Series race ended under caution for a similar incident, and Hamlin believed the same would happen again.
Instead, NASCAR let the race continue.
The momentary hesitation cost Hamlin valuable momentum. As the field bunched up for a mad dash to the checkered flag, a three-wide battle exploded into chaos, and Cole Custer became the unintended wrecking ball in Hamlin’s title bid.
Cole Custer’s Role in Hamlin’s Downfall
Cole Custer, making his full-time return to the Cup Series, was desperate to prove himself after two years in the Xfinity Series. The Haas Racing driver, now back in the big leagues with a lot to prove, found himself at the center of controversy when he made a decisive move that changed the outcome of the race.
Hamlin’s Take on the Final-Lap Collision
As Hamlin pushed Austin Cindric to the bottom lane, Custer was on the outside, pushing Christopher Bell forward. In that moment, Hamlin chose not to block Custer—a decision he would regret seconds later.
As the intensity peaked, Custer veered slightly left, forcing the pack into a tighter formation. The result? A multi-car wreck that eliminated Hamlin from contention and opened the door for Byron to steal the victory.
Hamlin, who didn’t mince words post-race, reacted to a comment from Custer defending his aggressive move. Custer had stated:
“I can’t lay off him with three to go. Really hard to make a decision there.”
Hamlin’s biting response?
“Yes, you can.”
The implication was clear—Custer could have exercised more restraint, but instead, he pushed too aggressively, triggering a wreck that reshuffled the entire finishing order.
Did Custer Cost Hamlin the Race—Or Just Take His Shot?
While some blamed Custer for the chaos, Hamlin was surprisingly understanding in the end.
“I don’t fault Cole,” Hamlin admitted. “He’s back in the Cup Series, he’s got a good opportunity to go out there and lock himself in the playoffs. It’s probably pretty big, all around, for the 41 team, so he’s doing everything he can to make a move that he thinks is the race-winning move.”
It’s clear that Custer was racing with everything on the line, hoping that a bold move would send him straight to Victory Lane. But in the high-stakes chess match of Daytona, his gamble backfired spectacularly for Hamlin—and opened the door for Byron to swoop in and claim victory.
From Cup Dropout to Cup Disruptor: Custer’s Aggressive Return to NASCAR’s Top Level
Cole Custer’s return to the Cup Series wasn’t just about racing—it was about proving he belongs. After losing his ride at Stewart-Haas Racing, he was relegated to Xfinity, where he rebuilt his reputation with a championship-winning season.
Now, with Haas Racing running a single Cup car, Custer is fighting for his future. His aggressive push on the final lap was the kind of move that a driver trying to cement his place in the series makes—but in doing so, he altered the outcome of the biggest race of the year.
Hamlin’s Next Move: Redemption at Atlanta?
For Denny Hamlin, the Daytona heartbreak will sting, but he won’t dwell on it for long. With Atlanta Motor Speedway up next, he has another chance to punch his ticket to the 2025 Playoffs.
Can he shake off the Daytona disappointment and strike back? Or will his misfortune carry over to another superspeedway showdown?
One thing is certain: when the green flag drops at Atlanta, Hamlin won’t be taking any chances on waiting for a caution that never comes.
