The last‑lap collision at Daytona turned the race into a caution and gave Ricky Stenhouse Jr. a fifth‑place finish.
Daytona’s Final‑Lap Chaos
A first wreck scattered a large group of cars, forcing survivors into a frantic sprint for the line. In the ensuing chaos, Stenhouse’s No. 47 clipped Ryan Blaney’s No. 12, sending Blaney into the wall and relegating the No. 12 to 33rd.
During the post‑race broadcasters, Blaney erupted on the radio, berating Stenhouse and demanding answers while talking to his crew chief.
Blaney’s Reaction And Stenhouse’s Finish
“F*** No. 47. What the f***? What the f*** are we doing?” Blaney shouted, after the incident left him trapped at 33rd position. The driver’s frustration was clear as he highlighted the hit on the backstretch.
Officially, Stenhouse crossed the finish line for fifth overall, keeping the team well positioned for the postseason.
Hamlin’s Analysis
On his podcast, Denny Hamlin offered a balanced view of the crash. He noted that the No. 47 and No. 3 cars made contact before Stenhouse clipped the No. 12, and that the fast decisions on the last lap made the incident unavoidable.
Hamlin said Stenhouse was likely focused on side‑drafting, unaware of the No. 3 car lingering on his quarter panel—explaining why the move was inadvertent rather than intentional.
Standings After Daytona
Despite the setback, Blaney’s 33rd‑place finish did not affect his Chase position; he remains in second behind a Chase‑locked Denny Hamlin. The finish, while disappointing for the No. 12 crew, may yet serve as a quiet impetus for the team’s title pursuit in the months ahead.
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