Blaney Wins Daytona Thriller, Bowman Scrapes Into Playoffs

Ryan Blaney delivered a clutch victory at Daytona, and in doing so he also saved Alex Bowman’s season, keeping the Chevrolet driver alive in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

The Team Penske star stormed from 12th with three laps to go in Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 to win by just 0.031s over Daniel Suarez. Justin Haley was third and Cole Custer, who led the penultimate lap, faded to fourth in a four-wide, half-car-length finish. Erik Jones completed the top five.

The rest of the top 10 was Kyle Larson sixth, Chris Buescher seventh, Ty Gibbs eighth, Josh Berry ninth and Chase Elliott tenth. Shane van Gisbergen brought his Chevrolet home in 16th, proving again he is improving on the ovals.

The result mattered beyond Blaney’s 15th career win. Had Suarez, Haley or Custer claimed victory, Bowman would have been eliminated from Playoff contention. Instead, Bowman secured the 16th and final berth, despite crashing out on Lap 27 in a 12-car pileup.

“It was a wild last couple of laps,” Blaney said. “Cole made a move up top, I was with him, and we got the momentum we needed. Once the 7 (Haley) and 41 (Custer) got racing, I had the run to clear them and just held on.”

The race saw 44 lead changes among 19 drivers. Blaney and teammate Joey Logano each led 27 laps, though Logano’s night ended in a late spin while battling up front.

Bowman’s night had started with hope after Tyler Reddick was caught in an early crash, briefly giving the Hendrick driver a chance to erase his points deficit. But the Lap 27 wreck left Bowman parked in the garage and dependent on the result going his way — which Blaney ultimately ensured.

“It was out of our control after that wreck,” Bowman admitted. “I just had to sit and watch and hope. Thankfully, it worked out and we’re in.”

The Daytona drama also ended Playoff hopes for Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., both eliminated in the same accident as Bowman. Bubba Wallace, caught in that crash, was already locked in on points and will carry Toyota’s 23XI Racing banner into the postseason.

With the field of 16 drivers now set, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin next Sunday at Darlington Raceway. Check out our form guide for the Playoffs – Sixteen Drivers, One Champion: NASCAR Playoffs Set for 2025

Top 10 Finishers – Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Daytona)

1. Ryan Blaney – Ford

2. Daniel Suarez – Chevrolet

3. Justin Haley – Chevrolet

4. Cole Custer – Ford

5. Erik Jones – Toyota

6. Kyle Larson – Chevrolet

7. Chris Buescher – Ford

8. Ty Gibbs – Toyota

9. Josh Berry – Ford

10. Chase Elliott – Chevrolet

Shane van Gisbergen Finished: 16th

2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Grid

1. Kyle Larson – 2032 points
2. William Byron – 2032 points
3. Denny Hamlin – 2029 points
4. Ryan Blaney – 2026 points
5. Christopher Bell – 2023 points
6. Shane van Gisbergen – 2022 points
7. Chase Elliott – 2013 points
8. Chase Briscoe – 2010 points
9. Bubba Wallace – 2008 points
10. Austin Cindric – 2008 points
11. Ross Chastain – 2007 points
12. Joey Logano – 2007 points
13. Josh Berry – 2006 points
14. Tyler Reddick – 2006 points
15. Austin Dillon – 2005 points
16. Alex Bowman – 2002 points