Denny Hamlin wins Daytona after 21-car wreck

A massive crash in the late stages of the Daytona 500 took out half the field in a matter of seconds | WATCH

Chain reaction: The 21-car pile-up brings Daytona to a fiery halt. Picture: Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images/AFP

Denny Hamlin has won his second Daytona 500 in four years, taking victory after the final stages turned into a wreck-fest.

“The Great American Race” had five crashes and two red flags over the final 20 laps of regulation.

Paul Menard triggered a 21-car accident shortly after a restart with 10 laps to go.

Menard turned Matt DiBenedetto, who slammed into the wall and started a chain-reaction that collected more than two dozen cars.

It brought out a red flag that stopped the race for almost 30 minutes for a lengthy clean-up.

More than half the field was involved in the accident, with defending Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Aric Almirola and Daniel Suarez among those involved in the mess.

Almirola seemingly had the wildest ride, his back wheels getting lifted off the pavement and landing on David Ragan’s windshield.

All the drivers involved were able to get out of their cars and reportedly did not appear to have suffered any serious injuries.

The field piles up after Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centre Ford, triggers the chain reaction. Picture: Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images/AFP

The Big One ends the hopes of at least 18 cars in the #DAYTONA500. pic.twitter.com/0U0PpvaCy8

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 17, 2019

— AP, AFP