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Horror crash mars end of Daytona 500
MIAMI, Feb 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Denny Hamlin sealed back-to-back victories
in an incident-packed Daytona 500 on Monday, winning a photo finish in a race
marred by a horrific crash that left veteran driver Ryan Newman hospitalized.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Hamlin followed up his victory in 2019 with his
third career win at Daytona, becoming the first racer to win the opening leg
of the NASCAR season since Sterling Marlin in 1995.
However, Hamlin’s celebrations were muted by a last-lap crash that left
Roush Fenway Racing’s Newman in hospital.
The 42-year-old Newman’s Ford Mustang had led on the final lap but spun out
of control, hit the wall and flipped onto its roof before bursting into
flames at the Daytona International Speedway.
There was no immediate word on Newman’s condition, but several ambulances
were brought on the track to attend to the driver as the race finished.
Black screens were erected around the site of Newman’s crashed car as
workers tended to the scene.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0825 hrs