Coke Zero Sugar 400 verdict at Daytona: Ryan Blaney bags victory with nail-biting last-lap pass amidst an exhilarating four-wide climax

In a thrilling finish at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, Ryan Blaney emerged victorious, securing his place in NASCAR's playoffs.

Blaney's win was no easy feat. With two laps remaining, he found himself running in 13th position. However, a pack split created a sortie, giving him a massive amount of momentum on the top groove. In a nail-biting final lap, Blaney passed both Cole Custer and Justin Haley, with a push from Daniel Suarez, to clinch the victory.

The win marked Blaney's second of the 2025 season and his second triumph at Daytona, having previously won the summertime race in 2021. His excitement was palpable, stating that the last couple of laps were wild, and he was glad to win again at Daytona.

The win preserved the status quo of the NASCAR playoffs grid, with Kyle Larson and William Byron tied for the top spot, 26 points above the cut line. Christopher Bell is 17 points above the cut line, while Chase Elliott is 7 points above the cut line.

Unfortunately, Alex Bowman's night ended in a crash, leaving him out of the playoffs. He joins Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon, who are below the cut line to begin the Round of 16, with Reddick and Bowman each -1 and Dillon -2. Josh Berry is also below the cut line, just 1 point behind Dillon.

The race was not without its share of drama. Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch made contact, triggering a multi-car pileup. Cody Ware, however, shone brightly, leading a career-high four times for 23 laps during the race.

As the playoffs heat up, the race for the championship is set to be an exciting one. The next race promises to deliver the same level of intensity and unpredictability that has become synonymous with NASCAR.

Coke Zero Sugar 400 verdict at Daytona: Ryan Blaney bags victory with nail-biting last-lap pass amidst an exhilarating four-wide climax