NASCAR: 5 biggest stories from the 2021 Daytona 500

#2 Denny Hamlin dosen't get his NASCAR 3 peat.

NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin was looking for a 3 peat in Sunday's 63rd annual Daytona 500, but fell short of the mark after a pit stop mistake left him back in the pack. Of course Hamlin was able to recover and finish 5th, but it still had to hurt knowing he was so close to a spot in NASCAR history.

.@Mc_Driver win tonight was no fluke. Wasn’t a “anyone can win” type of race. He’s up front time and time again at these SS races. Well earned and well deserved. Congrats!

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 15, 2021

Keep in mind that only 2 drivers have managed to win the Daytona 500 3 times and that was Sterling Marlin and Cale Yarbrough. Again, Hamlin was very close to acheiving a very crucial mark in NASCAR history, but his pitting mistakes pretty much doomed his streak.

In the end, Hamlin has a lot to be proud of coming out of speedeeks. In fact, between him finishing 5th in the first race of the season and sitting 2nd in points, 1 could almost argue that the championship is his for the taking early on this season. It's all a matter of what Hamlin manages to do from here though.

Good times filming with these two. Don’t miss the #Daytona500 pre race show tomorrow on @nascaronfox. pic.twitter.com/sMZZEPPBTa

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 13, 2021