Notebook: 'The Big One' overshadowed by horrific last-lap Newman crash in Daytona 500

YouTube download / NASCAR video / Joey Logano's attempt to push Aric Amirola forward down the backstretch into Brad Keselowski on lap 185, causes Keselowski to lose control and a 19-car wreck ensues - known as 'The Big one.' 

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- With the exception of three wrecks in the first 105 laps, the Daytona 500 was free of twisted metal  - that is until lap 185.

That's when The Big One collected a bunch of cars on the backstretch - 19 in all.

The race was red-flagged as a result. 

Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 by 0.014 seconds over Ryan Blaney on the second restart in overtime. Rounding out the top 5 were Chris BuescherDavid Ragan, and Kevin Harvick.

On the final lap, Ryan Newman was involved in a serious crash and was immediately rushed by ambulance to Halifax Medical Center. He was seriously injured in the crash, but the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Newman was released from the hospital earlier today.

With 17 laps to go, Joey Logano attempted to push Aric Almirola forward down the backstretch into Brad Keselowski. Keselowski lost control of his car upon contact, and a 19-car wreck ensued.

Collected in the Big One were Martin Truex, Jr.Bubba WallaceAlex BowmanTyler ReddickMatt DiBenedettoRoss ChastainAustin DillonKurt BuschJustin HaleyRyan BlaneyTy DillonChris BuescherBrendan GaughanJohn Hunter Nemechek, and Jimmie Johnson

This was Johnson's final Daytona 500. 

This huge crash brought out the first of two red flags thaat were not rain related.

And as big as this crash was, Ryan Newman’s fiery crash on the final lap of the race overshadowed it.

Did You Know?
Daytona International Speedway is one of three superspeedways to hold NASCAR races. The other two are Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The standard track at Daytona International Speedway is a four-turn superspeedway that is 2.5 miles long. The track's turns are banked at 31 degrees, while the front stretch, the location of the finish line, is banked at 18 degrees.