DAYTONA 500 ended in a huge fireball pile-up as cars smashed into each other in a horror last lap.
The NASCAR Cup Series motor race in Florida descended into chaos on the final lap.
Brad Keselowski and Austin Cindric involved in an on-track collisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano collideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International SpeedwayCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Michael McDowell was the eventual winnerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Penske team-mates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski – who were leading – collided into each other.
Austin Cindric, who was unsighted, then hit the back of Keselowski’s car, causing a fireball and wreck that eliminated all but 11 cars.
The likes of Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Ryan Preece and Ross Chastain were also caught up in the melee.
Eventual winner Michael McDowell carried on, racing reigning champion Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon before NASCAR threw the caution flags.
All of the drivers involved escaped serious injury.
Reacting to the incredible scenes, one fan said: “That last lap wreck at #DAYTONA500 was insane.
“Several cars disappeared into a ball of fire. Glad everyone is safe.”
Another said: “What a crazy end to the #DAYTONA500 !! Luckily everyone is ok!”
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After a brief period of confusion over who was ahead when the yellow flags were shown, McDowell was confirmed as the winner.
He finished 0.07 seconds clear of Elliott with Dillon just 0.001s further behind the Hendrick driver.
It capped a 100/1 cinderella upset for McDowell, who won his first ever 500 championship.
He said: “I just can’t believe it.
“So many years just grinding it out, waiting for an opportunity like this.
“I’m so thankful, such a great way to get a first victory. Daytona 500, are you kidding me!”
McDowell swerved a similar 16-car pile up on lap 14, and finished the race after a near six hour weather delay.
Brad Keselowski pictured after the meleeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
All but 11 cars were involved in the pile-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
All of the drivers involved escaped serious injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
