TC Daily Pit Stop: Blaney Beats Playoff Hopefuls at Daytona; Bowman, Busch Involved in Early Wreck
TC Daily Pit Stop: Monday, August 25th, 2025
Ryan Blaney Bests Playoff Hopefuls in Four-Wide Photo Finish at Daytona
Although Ryan Blaney started Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona from the pole, it ended up taking an insane run through the lead pack in the final laps to get the Team Penske driver into Victory Lane.
The former NASCAR Cup Series champion was sitting 13th when the field crossed the line with two laps remaining, but rocketed to the head of the field while pushing Cole Custer and getting help from Daniel Suarez, both of whom were factors in determining the finishing order (and Playoff field).
After pushing Cole Custer to the race lead exiting Turn 4, Blaney took advantage of a pair of massive blocks by Justin Haley to get position on the outside lane, keeping position as the leader of the outside lane and fending off the pack as they shrieked towards the start-finish line, splitting the No. 12 in a four-wide formation.
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RACE RESULTS
Bowman, Busch Collected in Multi-Car Wreck at Lap 28
Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway was the final opportunity for 20 drivers to win their way into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Now, even before the green-and-white checkered flag at the end of the race’s first stage, several drivers have already had their chance at a season-saving victory eviscerated.
The wreck happened after a four-wide situation at the exit of the final corner went wrong, with a bump from Kyle Larson sending Bubba Wallace slightly down into the track into the side of Joey Logano, triggering a 12-car incident.
Involved in the accident: Austin Cindric, Noah Gragson, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Austin Hill, Riley Herbst, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Alex Bowman.
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Other NASCAR Headlines:
Marc-Antoine Camirand Dominates NASCAR Canada Series Event at Circuit ICAR
Parker Kligerman Jumps in No. 88; Wins Daytona for Zilisch, JR Motorsports
William Byron, Hendrick No. 24 Slapped with Pre-Race Penalty
Lightning Strikes Cup Qualifying; Ryan Blaney on Pole at Daytona
Lightning Cancels Xfinity Qualifying from Daytona; Zilisch to Start First
Daytona - Weekend Schedule:
Saturday, August 23:
12:00 pm ET - RAM Team Announcement
2:45 pm ET - Trackhouse Racing Team Announcement
7:30 pm ET - NASCAR Cup Series Race at Daytona (NBC)
Daytona Weekend Resources:
Cup Results: Qualifying | Race
Xfinity Results: Qualifying | Race
Entry Lists: Cup | Xfinity
2025 NASCAR Season Resources:
Schedules: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
Driver Points: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
Owner Points: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
Rookie Standings: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
Manufacturer Standings: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
2025 Driver/Team Charts: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks
2026 Driver/Team Charts: NASCAR Cup | NASCAR Xfinity | NASCAR Trucks