Daytona 500 2016: Updated Chase standings

Here are the updated NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase standings after the 2016 Daytona 500.

Not only does winning the Daytona 500 put a driver in the history books for winning the biggest race of the season, it also puts a driver in the Chase. On Sunday, 40 drivers gave it their all to win “The Great American Race” and a spot in the Chase for a chance to compete for a Sprint Cup Championship.

Chase Elliot, the pole-sitter, didn’t last long in Sunday’s race, after he hit the grass in the tri-0val, which destroyed the front end of his vehicle. His teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. was dispatched quickly by the Joe Gibbs Racing trio of Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch.

Competitors all day tried to give the boys of Joe Gibbs Racing a battle. First it was Jimmie Johnson that tried to break through, but he fell back soon enough. Then it was Martin Truex Jr. that battled with Hamlin. Truex Jr. just wouldn’t go away and he found himself in a tight battle wedged between the Toyotas.

In the end, it was Denny Hamlin winning the closes finish in Daytona 500 history. He beat Martin Truex Jr. by 1/100th of a second to pull out the photo finish. With the win, Hamlin has a spot in the Chase and will be competing for the Sprint Cup Championship this fall.

Here are the updated Chase standings and drivers points after Sunday.

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings