The five greatest finishes in NASCAR history

NASCAR has over 75 years of history in the record books, but there are a few select finishes that will always stand out. These are the five greatest finishes in the history of NASCAR.

5. 1976 Daytona 500

The 18th Daytona 500 was a classic Richard Petty-David Pearson duel that came down to the final laps. Rather than a high-speed, photo-finish, however, the race featured possibly the slowest speed ever recorded for a race winner.

Both Petty and Pearson crashed coming out of Turn 4, and it was Pearson who was able to crank up his destroyed Mercury first to get it across the line.

4. 1979 Daytona 500

This race ended up potentially being the most consequential 500 miles in NASCAR history. With the East Coast snowed in, the final lap crash between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough that led to a Richard Petty victory became water cooler fodder across the country.

This was the race that took NASCAR from a regional sport to a national one, and it's impact can't be overstated.

3. 2024 AdventHealth 400, Kansas

The closest finish in NASCAR history saw Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher barrel to the line separated by only one one-thousandth of a second — and initially saw the wrong man be crowned the victory.

In a race that mirrored the 1959 Daytona 500, Buescher was initially thought to have won, before review determined that Larson had barely edged him out. The review only took a few seconds rather than a few days, and it's that one-thousandth of a second that currently has Buescher fighting for his playoff life.

2. 2024 Ambetter Health 400, Atlanta

It could be argued that this three-wide finish that saw the top three finish within seven one-thousandths of a second is the greatest finish of all time, but we'll slot it into the second spot on our list.

Daniel Suarez got a huge win, while Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch both came agonizingly close to victory. It's the kind of finish only superspeedway racing can provide.

1. 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400, Darlington

This finish may not be the closest in NASCAR history, but it's certainly the most iconic. Kurt Busch's No. 97 Ford had lost power steering, and the future champion now had Ricky Craven bearing down on him at the toughest track on the schedule.

Busch and Craven battled down to the final corner, where Craven was finally able to get to the inside of Busch as the two roared onto the frontstretch. The pointed front end of Craven's Pontiac was just enough to give the Newburgh, ME. native his second and final Cup Series win.

Honorable Mentions: 2007 Daytona 500, 2001 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500, 2011 Aaron's 499, 1959 Daytona 500