If there’s one thing NASCAR fans love, it’s those jaw-dropping, edge-of-your-seat last-lap finishes. Nothing gets your heart racing quite like watching drivers throw caution to the wind, trading paint, and doing whatever it takes to cross the finish line first. NASCAR is built on the drama of the final lap, where everything—strategy, skill, and sometimes pure chaos—comes together. Here’s a look at some of the wildest, most unforgettable last-lap wins in NASCAR history.

1. 1976 Daytona 500 – Richard Petty vs. David Pearson

We’ve all heard of epic rivalries, but the 1976 Daytona 500 finish between Richard Petty and David Pearson rewrote the book on dramatic endings. The “King” and the “Silver Fox” were neck-and-neck as they roared into the final lap, determined to outwit each other.

Things took a wild turn when they collided coming out of Turn 4, sending both iconic drivers spinning toward the infield. Fans held their breath as Pearson managed to restart his wrecked car and crawl across the finish line for the win. Petty, on the other hand, couldn’t get his car moving in time. It was a chaotic ending to a legendary race and cemented Petty and Pearson’s rivalry in NASCAR history.

This moment didn’t just give fans a heart attack—it proved that no lead is safe until you’ve crossed that checkered flag.

2. 1999 Goody’s Headache Powder 500 – Terry Labonte vs. Dale Earnhardt

Every great NASCAR finish seems to involve Dale Earnhardt, doesn’t it? The 1999 race at Bristol gave fans one of his most controversial moments. Terry Labonte had taken the lead late in the race, but Earnhardt, the “Intimidator,” wasn’t going to make it easy.

On the final lap, Earnhardt dove into the final corner and bumped Labonte hard enough to spin him out. Fans erupted—half in cheers, half in boos—as Earnhardt slid across the line to steal the win. Labonte’s wrecked car limped across the line for second place.

Earnhardt famously brushed off the criticism with, “I didn’t mean to wreck him, I just meant to rattle his cage.” Whether you loved or hated him for it, there’s no denying that finish went down as one of NASCAR’s most talked-about last laps.

3. 2007 Daytona 500 – Kevin Harvick vs. Mark Martin

The “Great American Race” is famous for down-to-the-wire finishes, but the 2007 Daytona 500 might just take the cake. Mark Martin, a beloved veteran, was on the verge of his first Daytona win, holding the lead with one lap to go. But Kevin Harvick was charging hard, and he wasn’t giving up without a fight.

Coming off Turn 4, Harvick powered to the outside, door-to-door with Martin. Just as the two crossed the line in a photo finish, chaos erupted behind them, with cars wrecking in a massive pileup. Harvick edged out Martin by only 0.02 seconds to take the win.

Fans couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. While Martin walked away heartbroken, Harvick’s stunning victory showed once again that Daytona always delivers unforgettable drama.

4. 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 – Ricky Craven vs. Kurt Busch

If you’re looking for the closest finish in NASCAR history, this is it. Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch battled like gladiators in the final laps at Darlington Raceway, trading the lead and beating on each other’s fenders like it was an old-school short track duel.

As they came out of the final turn, both drivers were leaning so heavily on each other that sparks flew. Craven just barely nudged ahead, winning by an insane margin of just 0.002 seconds. That’s right—two-thousandths of a second!

Even Kurt Busch himself couldn’t be mad, calling it one of the coolest finishes he’d ever been a part of. Darlington lived up to its reputation as “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” and fans got a finish for the ages.

5. 2011 Ford 400 – Tony Stewart vs. Carl Edwards

This wasn’t just a last-lap thriller—it was a battle for the championship. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards headed into the season finale at Homestead tied for the points lead, meaning whoever finished ahead would take the title.

The entire race was filled with tension as Stewart clawed his way through the field after battling early setbacks. Late in the race, Stewart and Edwards ran nose-to-tail, with neither driver willing to give an inch. On the final lap, Stewart held off Edwards by just a few car lengths to not only win the race but also clinch the championship.

What made this moment even crazier? Stewart and Edwards ended the season tied in points, with Stewart winning the title via a tiebreaker (most wins). It was NASCAR at its most dramatic, and fans couldn’t have asked for a better ending to an unforgettable season.

6. 2001 Cracker Barrel 500 – Kevin Harvick’s First Win

Kevin Harvick’s first career win wasn’t just a last-lap highlight—it was a deeply emotional moment for NASCAR. Just weeks after Dale Earnhardt’s tragic death at Daytona, Harvick stepped into the driver’s seat of the No. 29 car and gave fans a finish they would never forget.

On the final lap at Atlanta, Harvick went toe-to-toe with Jeff Gordon, one of the sport’s best. Coming out of the final turn, Harvick edged Gordon by a mere 0.006 seconds in a photo finish that brought fans to their feet.

The victory wasn’t just about Harvick—it felt like a tribute to Earnhardt. Harvick’s celebration, complete with a three-finger salute honoring the Intimidator, left fans both cheering and teary-eyed.

7. 2018 Chicagoland Speedway – Kyle Busch vs. Kyle Larson

Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson gave us an instant classic at Chicagoland when they battled all the way to the checkered flag. With just a couple of laps to go, Larson dove under Busch, bumping him and taking the lead. But Busch wasn’t done.

On the final lap, Busch returned the favor, bumping Larson out of the way in Turn 3. Larson tried to fight back but ran out of room, sending his car sliding into the wall while Busch powered across the finish line.

The race had everything—contact, drama, and two of NASCAR’s most exciting drivers going all out. Fans argued for days about whether Busch’s move was fair or dirty, proving that last-lap finishes are what keep NASCAR fans coming back for more.

8. 1993 Daytona 500 – Dale Jarrett’s Photo Finish

The 1993 Daytona 500 gave fans a heart-pounding ending with Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt battling side by side in the closing laps. Jarrett’s father, NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett, called the race from the booth, adding an extra layer of emotion to the moment.

On the final lap, Jarrett executed a flawless last-lap pass on Earnhardt and held him off at the line to secure an iconic win. Hearing Ned’s voice crack with pride as he cheered on his son made it a finish no fan would forget.

There’s a reason last-lap battles are the stuff of NASCAR legend. When drivers throw everything they’ve got into that final dash to the line, anything can happen—tempers flare, strategies get flipped, and sometimes, history gets made.