Daytona, USA– August 26, 2023
The NASCAR Cup Series ventured to “The World Center of Racing” where race teams challenged Daytona’s 2.5-mile Superspeedway-high banks for the annual running of the Coke Zero 400.
NASCAR Chase Briscoe and Aric Almirola set the front row for 400 miles of the regular season finale and the final chance for some race teams to compete for a vacant NASCAR Cup Series Championship Playoff spot/s.
Coke Zero 400 – Recap:
Stage 1
Daytona International Speedway
Shot gun runner Aric Almirola surrendered his lead early in the Stage to a progressive Chase Brisco.
Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr took advantage of a tag team and were able to move to the front. Able to hold off advancing comrades, Hamlin relinquished his top position to teammate Martin Truex Jr. who was able to collect Stage 1 royalties at the World Center of Racing.
Coke Zero 400 – Results:
Stage 1
Daytona International Speedway
1. Martin Truex Jr
2. Christopher Bell
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Ty Gibbs
5. Joey Logano
6. Bubba Wallace
7. Austin Cindric
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Daniel Suarez
Coke Zero 400 – Recap:
Stage 2
Daytona International Speedway
The aggression intensified as drivers’ times ran out to secure a playoff ticket.
Chase Elliott desperately needed to win to keep his playoff chances in contention. Elliott found the lead within 10 laps of Stage 2 only to forfeit the position to a progressive AJ Almendinger.
Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs and Ryan Blaney moved to the front, each controlling the lead with the help of their dancing partners.
The final Stage 2 lap saw Ryan Blaney being punted into the outside safety barrier wall compliments of Christopher Bell. The subsequent carnage of 16 race cars involved stopped the completion of Stage 2 and awarded Brad Keselowski Stage 2 honors under the Red Flag condition.
Coke Zero 400 – Results:
Stage 2
Daytona International Speedway
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Kyle Busch
3. Daniel Suarez
4. Alex Bowman
5. William Byron
6. Ross Chastain
7. Chase Elliott
8. Erik Jones
9. Josh Berry
10. Joey Logano
Coke Zero 400 – Recap:
Final Stage
Daytona International Speedway
Chase Briscoe tangled with Kyle Bush for the early-Stage lead. Briscoe accepted a bumper boost supplied by Aric Almirola and was able to make up most of the lost positions.
Green flag pit service separated contenders as some race teams opted for an anticipated final green flag service.
Retiring Cup Champ Kevin Harvick benefited from the timing of his race teams green flag service. Harvick was recycled to the front and was now in contention for the win with 10 trips remaining at Daytona.
As tempers intensified, Ryan Preece was bumped by Erik Jones sending him into oncoming traffic. Preece’s collision propelled him airborne, where his car did a full 10 rotations in a death-defying Barrell Roll. With the advancements of the safety requirements and restraints of the New Gen car, Ryan Preece was thankfully able to be removed from his car under his own power.
Chris Buescher gambled by removing his car out of the train line. The gamble paid off as he was able to sharp shoot to the lead on the White Flag lap. This move was instrumented by team owner/driver Brad Keselowski’s chrome horn, bumping teammate Chris Buescher to the lead.
Bossman Brad warded off all approaching danger and Chris Buescher won his 3rd race out of the last 5 Nascar Cup Series points races with the win at Daytona.
NASCAR Cup Series Race Results:
Daytona International Speedway
August 27, 2023
Coke Zero 400
1. Chris Buescher
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Aric Almirola
4. Chase Elliott
5. Joey Logano
6. Alex Bowman
7. Kyle Busch
8. William Byron
9. Kevin Harvick
10. Corey LaJoie
11. Ty Dillon
12. Bubba Wallace
13. Michael McDowell
14. Austin Hill
15. Chandler Smith
16. Christopher Bell
17. Ross Chastain
18. Erik Jones
19. JJ Yeley
20. Daniel Suarez
21. Justin Haley
22. Josh Berry
23. BJ McLeod
24. Martin Truex Jr
25. Tyler Reddick
26. Denny Hamlin
27. Kyle Larson
28. Harrison Burton
29. AJ Allmendinger
30. Chase Briscoe
31. Ryan Preece
32. Todd Gilliland
33. Austin Dillon
34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
35. Ty Gibbs
36. Ryan Blaney
37. Austin Cindric
38. Riley Herbst
39. Brennan Poole
NASCAR Cup Series – Regular Season Points
After Coke Zero 400
Daytona International Speedway
August 26, 2023
.
1. William Byron – 2,036
2. Martin Truex Jr – 2,036
3. Denny Hamlin – 2,025
4. Chris Buescher – 2,021
5. Kyle Busch – 2,019
6. Kyle Larson – 2,017
7. Christopher Bell – 2,014
8. Ross Chastain – 2,011
9. Brad Keselowski – 2,010
10. Tyler Reddick – 2,009
11. Joey Logano – 2,008
12. Ryan Blaney – 2,008
— Round of 12 Cutline —
13. Michael McDowell – 2,007
14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 2,005
15. Kevin Harvick – 2,004
16. Bubba Wallace – 2,000
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs competition begins with one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewel Races:
The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway:
Sunday September 2nd, 2023
6 p.m. ET on USA Network
Sirius XM NASCAR Chanel 90.