Denny Hamlin wins second consecutive Daytona 500 in tight finish

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Defending champion Denny Hamlin captured his second straight victory in double overtime at the Daytona 500 on Monday night at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Hamlin's win came after a devastating crash involving Ryan Newman on the last lap. Newman was the race leader when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line, sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down.

Newman's car flipped several times and crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop. According to the Fox Sports broadcast, he was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center, according to a statement released by Roush Fenway Racing on Monday night. Doctors indicated that his injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

"We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from [Hamlin]," Blaney said. "I was committed to just pushing [Newman] to the win and having a Ford win it and got the bumpers hooked up wrong. It looked bad."

Hamlin's 0.014-second margin of victory marked the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. His win came after only the second rain postponement in 62 years, two red flag stoppages and two overtimes.

With the victory, Hamlin earned his third career win at the "Great American Race." He joined six Hall of Fame drivers as winners of three or more races at Daytona.

Hamlin also became the fourth driver in NASCAR history to earn back-to-back wins at the Daytona 500, joining Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95).

However, Hamlin's celebration in victory lane was subdued because of the fiery crash late in the final lap.

"I think we take for granted sometimes how safe the cars are and number one, we are praying for Ryan," Hamlin said.

Blaney finished in second place, followed by Chris Buescher, David Ragan and Kevin Harvick.

Highlights from the 62nd running of the Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning his second consecutive Daytona 500 on Monday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Ryan Newman's car flips as Hamlin (110) and Ryan Blaney (12) race to the finish line. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Ross Chastain's crew scrambles as he overshoots his pit. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Newman leads with help by a push from Hamlin with about 20 laps to go. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

The field is lined up Monday before the restart of the race after a rain delay on Sunday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

The field takes the green flag to start the rain delay on Sunday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Rickey Stenhouse Jr. (47) and Alex Bowman (88) lead field to the green flag. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

William Byron (24) heads a three-wide pack after the start of the race. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave to crowd from "the Beast" before the beginning of the race. Trump was the race's grand marshal. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

The Trumps walk down pit row prior to the race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Darius Rucker performs before the race. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Air Force One with President Donald Trump aboard arrives before the 2020 Daytona 500 on Sunday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Cole Custer (L) and Bubba Wallace greet fans during driver introductions prior to race on Sunday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Stenhouse poses for a selfie during introductions. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

WWE Superstar Sheamus loosens up for his duties as pace car driver. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Rising NASCAR racer Hailie Deegan takes in the sights before the race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Team owner Roger Penske attends pre-race festivities. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Noah Gragson and his team celebrate winning the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 on Saturday. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

It was Gragson's first victory in nearly two years. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Gragson celebrates the win with burnouts. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

From left to right on track, Gragson, Brandon Jones, Chase Briscoe and Michael Annett navigate the track. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

The crew for Jesse Little works on his car late in the race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Safety crews rush to assist wrecked pole winner Myatt Snider. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Riley Herbst (18) has a terrible end to his day after contact with Chris Cockrum (partially obscured). Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Gragson (9) navigates past a pack of cars. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Snider hits the pits. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Gragson makes a pit stop. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Snider leads the field at the start of the NASCAR Racing Experience 300. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Cars race to their pits after Stage 2. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Jimmie Johnson (48), Michael McDowell (34) and Elliott (9) practice. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Kurt Busch waits for the start of practice. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

From left to right, NASCAR Chevrolet Team owners Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Chip Ganassi and Richard Petty discuss the upcoming Daytona 500. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Kurt Busch answers questions before practice. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Kyle Larson. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Chris Buescher. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Maj. Michelle Curran greets her ground crew after arriving for the Daytona 500 on Friday. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Chase Briscoe (98) leads a pack during NASCAR Xfinity practice. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Josh Bilicki. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Ray Black Jr. prepares for NASCAR Xfinity practice. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Briscoe. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Ryan Newman meets with guests at the Roush-Fenway luncheon. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Chris Buescher (L), Jack Roush (C) and Ryan Newman(R) meet with guests at the Roush-Fenway luncheon. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Clint Boyer's crew goes to work during a pit stop in the Duel at Daytona 2 qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Thursday. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Kyle Busch's crew heads back to the garage after he finished 13th in the Duel at Daytona 2 qualifying race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

William Byron (24) wins Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 on Thursday. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Denny Hamlin's crew completes a pit stop during the Duel at Daytona 1 qualifying race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

The Menards crew members for Ryan Blaney complete a prayer before the start of the Duel at Daytona 1 qualifying race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Joey Logano celebrates after winning the first of two of the Bluegreen Vacations Duel. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Logano was among the drivers who helped Ford sweep the qualifying races. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Pole winner Stenhouse Jr. (R) and Alex Bowman started in the front row for the main event before it was called due to rain. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo

Stenhouse (C) and Alex Bowman started in the front row for the main race on Sunday. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI | License Photo