Denny Hamlin had a disappointing end to his 2022 Daytona 500 appearance. A melee right at the end of Stage 1 on lap 41 saw his race come to a premature end.Kelly Crandall@KellyCrandallToday being Denny Hamlin’s first DNF in the Daytona 500 is one hell of a stat #NASCAR2:59 AM · Feb 21, 20227711Today being Denny Hamlin’s first DNF in the Daytona 500 is one hell of a stat #NASCARWith his retirement from the race, however, a new statistic has come to light that goes on to show the 41-year-old’s prowess behind the wheel. Hamlin’s 2022 outing at Daytona was the first time he has been a spectator in the Great American Race. In simpler terms, this was his first DNF in 17 starts at the Daytona 500.Denny Hamlin has been to the Daytona International Speedway 16 times before Sunday’s appearance and has won the event three times. He was the champion of the Great American Race in 2016, 2019, and 2020. His worst finish was in 30th position on his debut in 2006, however, he had not crashed out even once, until this weekend. His is an impressive streak, considering how crash-prone races in Daytona can be.NASCAR PICTURES@NascarpixturesOn this day in 2019, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500!1:04 AM · Feb 17, 20228012On this day in 2019, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500! https://t.co/TzAyx4F3QaHamlin was caught up in an eight-car melee near the end of the opening stage. Brad Keselowski aggressively pushed Harrison Burton, eventually causing the debutant to lose control. Burton then turned sideways into Kyle Busch and William Byron Jr., collecting both in the process. Burton's bad luck didn’t just stop there, as his car went airborne and was flipped onto its roof before getting hit again, landing the right way up.BNA@BnaBroadcastingSorry but the transition of an onboard view of Harrison Burton pancaking the ground upside down to Denny Hamlin crab walking is the funniest thing I've ever seen2:57 AM · Feb 21, 2022372Sorry but the transition of an onboard view of Harrison Burton pancaking the ground upside down to Denny Hamlin crab walking is the funniest thing I've ever seen https://t.co/OHvvOYSBl8“Insistent on pushing it at all costs” – Denny Hamlin slams Brad Keselowski for causing opening stage meleeJoe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was not at all happy with his performance on Sunday’s Daytona 500. He was, however, more displeased with how fellow driver Brad Keselowski caused the chaos on the track that took Hamlin out.Noah Lewis (NASCAR)@Noah_Lewis1.@dennyhamlin’s reaction to the crash. Says he would have played it safe from behind like usual but with how equal these cars are, it’s hard to get through a pack as quickly when behind. #NASCAR #DAYTONA5003:21 AM · Feb 21, 20228815.@dennyhamlin’s reaction to the crash. Says he would have played it safe from behind like usual but with how equal these cars are, it’s hard to get through a pack as quickly when behind. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 https://t.co/HkSYitVJvmSpeaking after the race in an interview, Hamlin said:“Once we had that restart, the [car#] 6 got back in the mix, and he was pushing the [car#] 21 and [car#] 21 was trying to hang on, but, you know, he was out of control for a few laps. Not his fault, he was getting shoved. But the [car#] 6 just kept pushing really, until finally we wrecked… Brad was just insistent on pushing at all costs.”