The Ford Mustang recorded another milestone moment in its illustrious history early Monday when Michael McDowell captured the 63rd running of the Daytona 500, giving the famous muscle car its first win in The Great American Race.

McDowell registered his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in his 358th career start in dramatic fashion as he survived a last-lap accident that took out Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski. The ensuing multi-car accident resulted in NASCAR throwing the caution flag and after a video review deemed McDowell the winner.

“My plan was to stick to the 2 car. I knew he would go for a race-winning move and my plan was to let him make that move and then coming off of four try to get to his outside or inside,” said McDowell of his desire to stay behind Keselowski. “I knew I didn’t want to make my move too early, so I was committed to the 2 car’s bumper and when he made the move, the hole opened up. It’s just unbelievable.”

Mustang, which has been recognized as the world’s best-selling sports coupe five years in a row, is in its third season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series. It has now won 29 races in 73 career starts, including a manufacturer-best 18 victories last season that ended with Ford capturing the manufacturer’s championship.

“There’s no better way to start the season than by winning NASCAR’s biggest race,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “There aren’t many things that Mustang hasn’t achieved in its storied history, but winning the Daytona 500 was one of them and we’re excited about adding that to the list.”

McDowell is the 13th different driver to win the Daytona 500 with Ford, which has now won The Great American Race six times in the last 13 years. The Daytona 500 win is the first for Front Row Motorsports and third Cup win in the organization’s history.

Singer Luke Combs performs prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida

Singer and Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Pitbull gives the command to start engine prior to during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 DoorDash Toyota, and crew chief Michael Wheeler talk on the grid prior to during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, and Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light #The Crew Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Fans display a three-finger salute on Lap 3 in honor of Dale Earnhardt during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light #TheCrew Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Big One collects several cars during the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach. Fl.

Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Kohler Generators Ford, William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 Lenovo Chevrolet, Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, and Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida

Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 iFly Chevrolet, Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Blue DEF/PEAK Ford, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, drives after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 Lenovo Chevrolet, exit the track after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The cars of Kaz Grala, driver of the #16 Kaulig Racing Hyper Ice Chevrolet Camaro, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Team Penske Discount Tire Ford Mustang, sit covered during a rain delay during the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach. Fl.

A general view of the exterior of the Daytona International Speedway as rain falls to delay the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Cars race past the grandstands during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Richard Childress Racing Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Camaro, lead the field to the green flag to restart the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach. Fl.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, Ryan Preece, driver of the #37 Cottonelle Chevrolet, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, pits during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and Ryan Preece, driver of the #37 Cottonelle Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger/NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Kaz Grala, driver of the #16 Kaulig Racing Hyper Ice Chevrolet Camaro, pulls into the pits with a tire fire during the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach. Fl.

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, and Austin Cindric, driver of the #33 Verizon 5G Ford, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, and Austin Cindric, driver of the #33 Verizon 5G Ford, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 DoorDash Toyota, Austin Cindric, driver of the #33 Verizon 5G Ford, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Joey Logano crashes near the end of the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 DoorDash Toyota, exits the track after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, reacts after are involved in an on-track incident after the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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