Austin Cindric holds off Blaney, Wallace to win Daytona 500

NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Cindric holds off Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace to win Daytona 500

By Adam Stites | Last updated 2/20/22

Austin Cindric's first career NASCAR Cup Series win came on the biggest stage possible Sunday when he won the 2022 Daytona 500.

Cindric, 23, is beginning his first season as a full-time Cup Series driver, taking over the No. 2 car from Brad Keselowski after the latter left to join Roush Fenway Racing. Cindric made seven starts in 2021 and finished 15th at Daytona and ninth at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Many of the favorites to win the race were unable to get through the 200 laps cleanly, including three-time Daytona 500 champ Denny Hamlin who was involved in a multi-car wreck early in the race.

Take a look at the incident that brought out the yellow shortly before the end of Stage 1. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Rjq6Cn61wu
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2022

With just under 50 laps left, a couple more former Daytona and Cup Series champions, Joey Logano and Kurt Busch, were involved in a crash.

They’re spinning off of four! @TylerReddick, @joeylogano and @KurtBusch are involved! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/ZQIbIwTRzv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2022

With about 10 laps left, another wreck took out Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott, among others. Just a few laps later after a restart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was sent into the wall by Brad Keselowski.

The pair of late crashes set up a two-lap dash to the checkered flag. Cindric led from the green flag to the checkered flag during the sprint and blocked both Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace on the final stretch. The second race of the 2022 NASCAR season will come next Sunday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

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