Hamlin wins again at crash-happy Daytona 500

Hamlin cruises to 2nd victory in 4 years at crash-filled Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. >> Denny Hamlin came to the Daytona 500 determined to honor his late car owner with a victory.

He delivered with a storybook tribute for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Hamlin won NASCAR’s biggest race for the second time in four years Sunday, leading JGR in a 1-2-3 sweep of the podium in overtime. The race and the season have been dedicated to J.D. Gibbs, Joe Gibbs’ eldest son who died last month after battling a degenerative neurological disease.

J.D. Gibbs helped his father start the race team, ran it while Joe Gibbs was coaching the Washington Redskins, was a tire changer on the team’s first Daytona 500 victory and the one who discovered Hamlin during a test session at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Hamlin was hired to drive the No. 11 — the number J.D. Gibbs used when he played football — and J.D. Gibbs’ name is on the Toyota.

When Hamlin stopped his car along the frontstretch to collect the checkered flag, he immediately credited J.D. Gibbs.

GARY MCCULLOUGH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Multiple cars crash in turn 3 during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday in Daytona Beach, Fla.

JOHN RAOUX — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday in Daytona Beach, Fla.