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Blaney Wins Daytona Thriller to Finalize Playoff Field, Energize Penske’s Title Push

Daytona’s photo finish propelled Team Penske into the postseason with momentum.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Advance Auto Parts Ford, crosses the start finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson, front, and William Byron, center, enter the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with the most points.
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Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Alltroo Toyota, walks the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 02, 2025 in Newton, Iowa.

Overview

  • Ryan Blaney vaulted from 13th with a late third-lane surge and pushes from Cole Custer and Daniel Suárez to win by 0.031 seconds in a four-wide finish.
  • The victory preserved Alex Bowman’s playoff berth after his lap-27 crash, completing Hendrick Motorsports’ four-car postseason lineup.
  • The 16-driver grid is set with Kyle Larson as the top seed and regular-season champion William Byron next, while Blaney’s win lifted him to fourth in seeding.
  • Team Penske enters as a prime threat after three consecutive championships across 2022–2024, with the playoffs opening Sunday at Darlington.
  • Operational margins and rules took center stage as Legacy Motor Club’s fuel-can penalty sent John Hunter Nemechek to the rear and Kevin Harvick advocated reserving 2–3 points-based playoff spots.