Blaney takes the victory, Reddick clinches Playoff spot and Larson wins Regular Season Championship at Daytona: The Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series’ regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway unfolded as billed with dramatic action all Saturday night that included 45 lead changes, a 14-minute Red Flag period and a wild final lap of overtime to decide the championship Playoff picture.(Read More)(8-28-2021)
#12-Ryan Blaney won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The win is his third win of the year, first at Daytona and seventh career win.
Blaney was leading when the caution flag waved on the last lap for a multi-car wreck, ignited by contact between the #96-Daniel Suarez and #4-Kevin Harvick. The wreck also included #3-Austin Dillon. Dillon and teammate #8-Tyler Reddick were in a battle for the final Playoff spot entering the race. Both drivers had troubles of their own throughout the night, but an 18th place finish for Dillon, combined with a sixth place finish for Reddick, allowed Reddick to claim the 16th and final spot in the Playoffs.
#17-Chris Buescher finished second but his car failed post race inspection for failure to comply with the NASCAR rulebook; track bar mounting assembly. The team was disqualified. With that, #23-Bubba Wallace grabbed the runner-up finish, followed by, #6-Ryan Newman, #37-Ryan Preece, #8-Reddick, #77-Justin Haley, #48-Alex Bowman, #9-Chase Elliott, #78-BJ McLeod, and #52-Josh Bilicki.
Pole sitter #5-Kyle Larson started at the rear of the field after multiple tech failures, and finished 21st after being involved in the last lap accident. Larson, who earned five race wins throughout the season, earned the regular season championship.
The field is now set for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The drivers competing are: #5-Kyle Larson, #19-Martin Truex, Jr., #48-Alex Bowman, #12-Ryan Blaney, #18-Kyle Busch, #9-Chase Elliott, #24-William Byron, #22-Joey Logano, #2-Brad Keselowski, #1-Kurt Busch, #20-Christopher Bell, #34-Michael McDowell, #10-Aric Almirola, #11-Denny Hamlin, #4-Kevin Harvick and #8-Tyler Reddick.
Stage 1 was won by #9-Elliott. Stage 2 was won by #22-Logano.
There were 45 lead changes among 15 drivers and 8 cautions for 31 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 142.201mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Reseeded Driver Points Standings, Reseeded Owner Points Standings, Driver Points Before Reset, Owner Points Before Reset, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Paint Schemes
Race Fast Facts – Daytona:
Ryan Blaney won the 63rd Annual Coke Zero Sugar 400, his seventh victory in 224 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 13 races at Daytona International Speedway.
Chris Buescher (second) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 12 races at Daytona International Speedway.
It is his fifth top-10 finish in 2021.
Bubba Wallace (third) posted his third top-10 finish in nine races at Daytona International Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (22nd) was the highest finishing rookie.
Tonight’s race produced 45 lead changes, the most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona since 2011
(NASCAR)(8-28-2021)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Daytona:
1) #5-Kyle Larson, 2052
2) #12-Ryan Blaney, 2024, -28
3) #19-Martin Truex, Jr., 2024, -28
4) #18-Kyle Busch, 2022, -30
5) #9-Chase Elliott, 2021, -31
6) #48-Alex Bowman, 2015, -37
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2015, -37
8) #24-William Byron, 2014, -38
9) #22-Joey Logano, 2013, -39
10) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2008, -44
11) #1-Kurt Busch, 2008, -44
12) #20-Christopher Bell, 2005, – 47
13) #34-Michael McDowell, 2005, -47
14) #10-Aric Almirola, 2005, -47
15) #8-Tyler Reddick, 2003, -49
16) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2002, -50
See the Reseeded Drivers Points Standings and Reseeded Owners Points Standings.
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Daytona (Before points reset):
(end of the regular season)
1) #5-Kyle Larson [5 wins], 1026
2) #19-Martin Truex, Jr. [3 wins], 802
3) #48-Alex Bowman [3 wins], 703
4) #12-Ryan Blaney [3 wins], 832
5) #18-Kyle Busch [2 wins], 851
6) #9-Chase Elliott [2 wins], 858
7) #24-William Byron [1 win], 842
8) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 798
9) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 732
10) #1-Kurt Busch [1 win], 667
11) #20-Christopher Bell [1 win], 600
12) #34-Michael McDowell [1 win], 498
13) #10-Aric Almirola [1 win], 458
14) #11-Denny Hamlin, 1008
15) #4-Kevin Harvick.777
16) #8-Tyler Reddick, 715
Missed the playoffs:
17) #3-Austin Dillon, 685
See the Drivers Points Standings Before Reset and Owners Points Standings Before Reset.
Cars to the rear: #5-Larson (multiple failures), #7-LaJoie (multiple failures), #15-Gase (multiple failures), #16-Grala (multiple failures), #34-McDowell (decklid assembly), #38-Alfredo (decklid assembly)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #5-Larson chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #24-Byron took the 19 stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on Pit Stall chart.(8-25-2021)
#5-Kyle Larson will start from the pole for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
#24-Byron will start the race in second, followed by #11-Hamlin, #18-Busch, #9-Elliott, #12-Blaney, #19-Truex, Jr., #1-Busch, #21-DiBenedetto, and #2-Keselowski.
The lineup was set by the qualifying metric, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete Coke Zero Sugar 400 Starting Lineup.(8-25-2021)
There will be no practice or qualifying for the Daytona race.
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tires Notes
The Entry List for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Gase, #16-Grala, #53-Smithley, #66-Starr, #96-Cassill.
See the full entry list on the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Entry List page.