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Austin Cindric wins Daytona Duel in photo finish after NASCAR review, last lap wreck

JHby: Jonathan Howard02/14/25Jondean25
Austin Cindric Erik Jones NASCAR
Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The caution came out just before the finish line creating a photo finish between Austin Cindric and Erik Jones with Cindric on top. Since Wednesday night, Cindric has earned a front row starting spot in the NASCAR Daytona 500 and he has a Duel win to go with it.

For those wondering, Corey LaJoie is advancing to the Daytona 500. He was the top open driver in the second Duel race. With a few laps to go, he was in position to even win the race.

Austin Cindric has had a great two days in Daytona so far. He will hope to keep it going and win his second career Daytona 500. A last-lap wreck down the frontstretch brought the caution out at the last second.

Erik Jones had an awkward time on the frontstretch. He beat Austin Cindric to the finish line. However, the caution light and flag came out before the finish line. So, they had to run the replay back over and over.

Eventually, it was clear who had won. Cindric had just a few inches on Jones at the time of caution. It was a long walk from pit road to the finish line for Cindric and vice versa for Jones.

So much time had passed between Jones claiming victory and Cindric realizing victory that the checkered flag disappeared. It was such a strange and confusing moment. But it was totally Daytona.

Austin Cindric, Bubba Wallace win Duel races

With Austin Cindric already earning a P2 starting spot, he was fearless on the track. The No. 2 team could easily have found themselves wrecked and making repairs for Sunday, possibly losing their starting position.

In the first Duel race, pole-sitter Chase Briscoe backed out and to the garage instead of risking damage. For Cindric, it was all about winning the Duel race, I guess to make a point. And a point he made.

Cindric joins Bubba Wallace as a winner tonight. Wallace was calm and collected in his race. He took push after push from teammate Tyler Reddick. Despite a few sketchy moments, Wallace kept his 23 car moving forward and it paid off big.

The Austin Cindric win was a close one. Mere inches were separated first and second. Is that foreshadowing for what is to come this weekend? We have seen Daytona produce a ton of fantastic finishes. Sunday might produce another all-timer.