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Blaney’s Daytona Photo Finish Locks Playoff Field as NASCAR Turns to Darlington

Kyle Larson holds the top seed, setting a postseason measured against Team Penske’s recent dominance.

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 charged from midpack to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in a four-wide photo finish at Daytona.
  • The victory finalized the 16-driver playoff grid and secured Alex Bowman a berth after his early crash.
  • Kyle Larson begins the postseason as the top seed ahead of William Byron, with the opener set for Aug. 31 at Darlington.
  • Blaney’s win extended his streak to six straight top-10s as Team Penske chases a fourth consecutive Cup championship.
  • Pit discipline shaped the finale as NASCAR penalized John Hunter Nemechek for removing equipment, sending him to the tail for a restart.