10 Most Controversial Daytona 500 Wins Ever

10 Most Controversial Daytona 500 Wins Ever

Bubba Wallace

10. 2020 – Denny Hamlin

Hamlin’s third Daytona 500 ended under caution after a massive last-lap crash. Many felt Ryan Blaney had the momentum before the yellow froze the field.

9. 2007 – Kevin Harvick

A photo finish so close that it sparked arguments for years. Harvick edged Mark Martin by 0.02 seconds — still debated frame by frame.

8. 1981 – Richard Petty

Petty inherited the win after leaders Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed on the final lap. Fans argued the “King” lucked into it.

7. 2011 – Trevor Bayne

A feel-good underdog story — but critics questioned whether tandem drafting manipulated the finish and made the win “manufactured.”

6. 1990 – Derrike Cope

Dale Earnhardt blew a tire with half a lap to go. Cope took the win, leaving fans split between shock and disbelief.

5. 2015 – Joey Logano

A controversial overtime restart and a last-lap wreck involving Matt Kenseth had many claiming the yellow flag timing decided the race.

4. 2016 – Denny Hamlin

Another Hamlin special — this time edging Martin Truex Jr. by 0.010 seconds. Some fans questioned timing loops and camera angles.

3. 2003 – Michael Waltrip

Waltrip won while teammate Dale Earnhardt Sr. crashed fatally on the final lap. The emotional weight made the win controversial and complicated.

2. 1979 – Richard Petty

The race that put NASCAR on the map — but Petty won after a massive last-lap crash while cameras focused on a fight. Chaos everywhere.

1. 2018 – Austin Dillon

Dillon dumped Aric Almirola into the fence on the final lap. Fans still argue whether it was aggressive racing or a dirty move — one of the most polarizing wins ever.