The world of motorsport is a relentless pursuit of speed, a high-stakes chess match played at hundreds of miles per hour. While races can often be decided by strategy and consistency over the full duration, it is in the final moments—the last lap, the last corner, the final dash to the checkered flag—that true legends are made. These moments are where months of preparation, seconds of luck, and a lifetime of skill collide to create an unforgettable spectacle.
The roar of the crowd, the frantic radio calls, and the tension in the air become almost palpable as two or more drivers push their machines to the absolute limit. It is in these dramatic climaxes that a race transcends sport and becomes a historical event. This guide will take you on a journey through the most heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, and controversial endings that have ever graced a racetrack. This definitive collection of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes will prove that sometimes, it’s not the journey, but the destination that matters most.
From the hallowed ovals of Indianapolis and Daytona to the demanding circuits of Formula 1, these finishes are etched in the memories of fans for their sheer unpredictability and raw emotion. They tell stories of triumph over adversity, of split-second decisions, and of rivalries reaching their fever pitch. These are the moments that define careers and championships, often with a margin of victory measured in thousandths of a second. They remind us that in racing, anything is possible until the very end. The narratives of these races are why this is the ultimate list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
Top 10 Motorsport Finishes
10. The 2007 Daytona 500
The 2007 Daytona 500 is a perfect example of how a race can come down to the very last few feet, securing its place on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. In a thrilling conclusion to the “Great American Race,” a green-white-checkered finish led to a frantic charge to the line. Rookie Kevin Harvick, driving for a new team, was in second place behind the veteran and fan favorite Mark Martin. In the final seconds, with Martin appearing to have the win secured, Harvick made a bold move on the outside.
As the cars crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and confusion. It was impossible to tell who had won, and the finish was so close that it required a photo finish review. Harvick’s dramatic last-second pass sealed a victory by an incredibly slim margin, denying Martin what would have been a career-defining win. This incredible finish is a major reason for its inclusion on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The official margin of victory was 0.020 seconds, one of the closest finishes in Daytona 500 history. |
9. 2006 Indianapolis 500
The 2006 Indianapolis 500 will forever be remembered for its jaw-dropping last-lap pass, making it one of the greatest of all the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. On the final lap, rookie Marco Andretti was poised to win the race, but veteran Sam Hornish Jr. was right on his tail. Andretti, the grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti, seemed destined to cap a fairytale story.
Coming out of the final corner, Hornish Jr. made a daring slingshot pass on the outside of Andretti. The two cars raced side-by-side to the finish line, with Hornish Jr. just edging out the rookie in a thrilling photo finish. It was a heart-stopping conclusion that saw the first last-lap pass for the win in the history of the Indianapolis 500. This dramatic ending is a perfect example of what makes this a must-see event and why it is one of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The margin of victory was 0.0635 seconds, which was the second-closest finish in Indy 500 history at the time. |
8. The 1992 Hooters 500
The 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta was a NASCAR race with a championship on the line, and its conclusion was as dramatic as any in history, earning its place on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. The race featured six drivers with a mathematical chance to win the championship, including NASCAR legends Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, and Bill Elliott. In the final laps, the championship came down to a battle between Kulwicki and Elliott.
Elliott won the race, but Kulwicki, who was in second place, needed to lead the most laps to secure the championship. In a tense moment, Kulwicki and his team strategically stayed out an extra lap to ensure they led more laps than Elliott. This move earned Kulwicki the five bonus points he needed to win the championship by a mere ten points. The thrilling finish solidified its place among the greatest of all time, and it’s a key part of our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | Alan Kulwicki won the 1992 championship by just 10 points, the closest margin in NASCAR history at the time |
7. The 2003 Japanese Grand Prix
The 2003 Japanese Grand Prix was a race with a world championship on the line, and its conclusion was a nail-biter that ranks among the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. Coming into the race, Michael Schumacher was on the verge of winning his sixth world championship. His main rival, Kimi Räikkönen, was in a McLaren, and he was doing everything he could to stop Schumacher.
Räikkönen drove a flawless race and finished in second place. However, Schumacher, who was struggling with a damaged car, managed to finish in eighth place, which was just enough to win the championship by a mere two points. The finish was a testament to Schumacher’s resilience and his ability to win even when he was not at his best. It is a true testament to the thrill of a championship battle and why it is on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | Michael Schumacher won the 2003 World Drivers’ Championship by a margin of only 2 points over Kimi Räikkönen, making it one of the closest title fights in F1 history. |
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6. The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix is arguably the most dramatic Formula 1 finish of all time, easily securing a spot on our list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. The world championship was on the line, and it was a battle between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa. Massa was in the lead and was on his way to winning the championship. All Hamilton needed to do was finish in fifth place to win the title.
In the final few corners of the race, Hamilton’s car was overtaken by Sebastian Vettel. This dropped Hamilton to sixth place, which meant that Massa had won the championship. However, in a last-second twist of fate, a slow-moving Timo Glock on slick tires was passed by Hamilton, allowing Hamilton to finish in fifth place and win the championship by a single point. This is why it is on our list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 World Championship by a single point after making a last-gasp overtake on the final corner of the final lap. |
5. The 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix
The 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix is a story of sheer determination and is a must-have entry on any list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. For years, the Brazilian hero Ayrton Senna had failed to win his home race. This time, he was in the lead, but his car’s gearbox was failing. In the final laps, he was stuck in sixth gear, and his rivals were closing in.
In the final few laps, the rain began to fall, which made the conditions even more difficult. Senna, who was in incredible physical pain, had to fight his car to the finish line. He held on to win the race by a mere 2.9 seconds, and he was so exhausted that he had to be lifted out of his car. It was a heroic effort that cemented his place as a national hero and is a key reason for its inclusion on our list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | Due to a failed gearbox, Ayrton Senna was forced to complete the final seven laps of the race using only sixth gear. |
4. The 1990 Australian Grand Prix
The 1990 Australian Grand Prix was the final race of the season and a must-see entry on any list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. The world championship was already decided, but the race itself was a thrilling battle between the two rivals Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. In the final moments of the race, the two drivers were in a heated battle for the win.
In the final few corners of the race, the two drivers collided. This sent both cars spinning and allowed Nelson Piquet to win the race. It was a controversial finish that sparked a heated debate about who was at fault. The finish was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two drivers and why it is a classic entry on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The 1990 Australian Grand Prix was the third and final time that the two rivals, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, collided on the track. |
3. The 1986 Spanish Grand Prix
The 1986 Spanish Grand Prix was a classic battle between two of the greatest drivers of all time, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell. The race was a tense affair, with the lead changing hands several times. In the final laps, Mansell was in the lead, but Senna was right on his tail.
Coming into the final corner, Senna was still in the lead, but Mansell was in a much faster car and had a clear run to the finish line. In a thrilling photo finish, Senna managed to win the race by a mere 0.014 seconds. It was a heart-stopping conclusion that is a testament to the skill and determination of the two drivers. This is a crucial element of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The margin of victory was 0.014 seconds, which was the second-closest finish in Formula 1 history at the time. |
2. The 1971 Italian Grand Prix
The 1971 Italian Grand Prix holds a special place in history as one of the closest races ever, making it a definitive entry on our list of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. The race was a chaotic affair, with the lead changing hands several times. In the final moments of the race, five cars were in a heated battle for the win.
Coming out of the final corner, the five cars were side-by-side, and it was impossible to tell who had won. The finish was so close that it required a photo finish review. The winner, Peter Gethin, won by a mere 0.01 seconds, which is the closest finish in Formula 1 history. It is a true testament to the thrill of a close race and why it is a classic entry on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The margin of victory was 0.01 seconds, the closest finish in Formula 1 history. |
1. The 2016 Daytona 500
The 2016 Daytona 500 is a race that will be remembered for its thrilling photo finish, which has earned it the number one spot on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes. The race was a classic battle between two of the greatest drivers of all time, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. In the final seconds of the race, the two drivers were in a heated battle for the win.
Coming out of the final corner, the two cars were side-by-side, and it was impossible to tell who had won. The finish was so close that it required a photo finish review. Denny Hamlin won the race by a mere 0.01 seconds, which is the closest finish in Daytona 500 history. It is a true testament to the thrill of a close race and why it is a classic entry on our list of Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
| Stat | The margin of victory was 0.01 seconds, which is the closest finish in Daytona 500 history |
FAQs:
Q1: What is a photo finish?
A1: A photo finish is a result in a race in which the winner is determined by analyzing a photo taken at the finish line, which is a key part of the Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
Q2: What is the closest finish in Formula 1 history?
A2: The closest finish in Formula 1 history was the 1971 Italian Grand Prix, which was won by a mere 0.01 seconds, a key reason for its inclusion in our Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
Q3: What is the closest finish in NASCAR history?
A3: The closest finish in NASCAR history was the 2016 Daytona 500, which was won by a mere 0.01 seconds, which is the number one entry in our Top 10 Motorsport Finishes.
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