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AUSTIN DILLON WINS CRASH FILLED DAYTONA 500

The "Big One" on Lap 200 of the Daytona 500 - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Austin Dillon leading on the final lap of the Daytona 500 - Photo: LAT

Austin Dillon leading on the final lap of the Daytona 500 – Photo: LAT

Austin Dillon has survived a chaotic crash filled race to win this morning’s Daytona 500.

Driving the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro, Dillon was a tight tussle with leader Aric Almirola after the overtime restart. Dillon was faster than the leader holding the high line heading into Turn 3 when the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford made a move to trying and hold the lead. The two bumped with Almirola spinning into the wall, while Dillon went on to take a comfortable win.

“Right now I just want to thank the good Lord above. I did what I had to do there at the end. I hate it for the No. 10 (Aric Almirola) guys. We had a run, and I stayed in the gas. It is what it is here at Daytona.” said Dillon after the race.

The win also helped celebrate a special milestone for the iconic No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, coming exactly 20 years after Dale Earnhardt Snr’s only Daytona 500 victory.

“This is so awesome to take the No. 3 car back to Victory Lane 20 years ago. This one is for Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and all those Sr. fans. I love you guys. We are going to keep kicking butt the rest of the year!” Dillon continued.

Only 10 of the 40 drivers who started the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ season opener finished on the lead lap.

The "Big One" on Lap 200 of the Daytona 500 - Photo: LAT

The “Big One” on Lap 200 of the Daytona 500 – Photo: LAT

The race featured eight cautions including three for massive wrecks that eliminated many of the key contenders in the field including the “big one” on Lap 200 that triggered the Green, White Chequered finish that enabled Dillon to claim the win.

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