Blaney Wins at the Beach
DAYTONA – August 23, 2025 – Anthony Holbrook
The NASCAR Cup Series ventured to The World Center of Racing in which Race teams took on Daytona’s 2.5 Superspeedway – high banks for the annual running of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 hosted by Daytona International Speedway.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Recap:
Stage 1
Weather conditions forced Nascar to cancel initial the qualifying session and set starting positions according to Rule Book point system. Ryan Blaney was awarded Pole with a 3,600 metric score rating.
Season Vet Casey Mears slows down the field bringing out the first caution, eleven laps from initial green. Ryan Blaney rises to the front as the final regular season race intensifies.
As drivers battle for position, real estate evaporates, and Bubba Wallace is turned. Wallace will be one of the recipients for early aggression with seven laps remaining in Stage 1. A cartel of twelve contenders will be involved in the aftermath.
Kyle Larson keeps a charging Ryan Blaney in his rear-view mirror collecting Stage 1 honors.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Results:
Stage 1
1. Kyle Larson
2. Ross Chastain
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Michael McDowell
5. Justin Haley
6. Joey Logano
7. Todd Gilliland
8. Ryan Preece
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Christopher Bell
Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Recap:
Stage 2
Brad Keselowski’s exceptional pit service was rewarded with a view from the front. Ross Chastain and Cody Ware advances within striking limits of the lead. Chastain will interchange and reclaim his lead by Lap 65.
Carson Hocevar’s hopes of a prosperous day ended on Lap 83 in lieu of a blown engine. Final dash for checkers finds Ross Chastain along with Joey Logano trading paint on final lap. Chastain will prevail with Stage 2 win along with valuable Stage points.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Results:
Stage 2
1. Ross Chastain
2. Christopher Bell
3. Joey Logano
4. William Byron
5. John Hunter Nemechek
6. Chase Briscoe
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Ryan Preece
9. Ty Gibbs
10. Kyle Larson
Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Recap:
Final Stage
Final Stage restart mixes up the running order as Christopher Bell and Hunter Nemechek improve their grid position to open Stage 3.
Joey Logano will be bumped drafted to the lead courtesy of Erik Jones chrome horn on Lap 118.
Ryan Preece, Justin Haley and Cole Custer clash three wide for ownership of second place and a couple laps endure. The lead will be in the steering wheel of Kyle Larson as assailant’s advance on the final laps at Daytona.
To Kyle Larson’s dismay his stint at the front was confronted by an array of challengers.
Ryan Blaney wards off desperate Cole Custer to capture the Checkers at Daytona International Speedway!
The 2025 regular Nascar Cup Series Season is complete and 16 qualified drivers have been set for Playoff Competition.
NASCAR Cup Series Race Results:
Daytona International Speedway
August 23, 2025
Coke Zero Sugar 400
Pos | Driver
1. Ryan Blaney
2. Daniel Suarez
3. Justin Haley
4. Cole Custer
5. Erik Jones
6. Chris Buescher
7. Kyle Larson
8. Ty Gibbs
9. Josh Berry
10. Chase Elliott
11. Todd Gilliland
12. Michael McDowell
13. Christopher Bell
14. Ryan Preece
15. Ross Chastain
16. Shane van Gisbergen
17. John Hunter Nemechek
18. Brad Keselowski
19. William Byron
20. Cody Ware
21. Tyler Reddick
22. Ty Dillon
23. Chase Briscoe
24. Austin Dillon
25. Denny Hamlin
26. AJ Allmendinger
27. Joey Logano
28. Joey Gase
29. Casey Mears
30. Austin Hill
31. Zane Smith
32. BJ McLeod
33. Carson Hocevar
34. Kyle Busch
35. Ricky Stenhosue Jr
36. Alex Bowman
37. Bubba Wallace
38. Noah Gragson
39. Austin Cindric
40. Riley Herbst
NASCAR Cup Series
Points Standings:
(Points After Coke Zero Sugar 400 8/23/25)
Playoff seating for Race 1 of 3 (Round of 16)
Driver | Points
1. Kyle Larson | +26
2. William Byron | +26
3. Denny Hamlin | +23
4. Ryan Blaney | +20
5. Christopher Bell | +17
6. Shane van Gisbergen | +16
7. Chase Elliott | +7
8. Chase Briscoe | +4
9. Bubba Wallace | +2
10. Austin Cindric | +2
11. Ross Chastain | +1
12. Joey Logano | +1
— Round of 12 Cutline —
13. Josh Berry | -1
14. Tyler Reddick | -1
15. Austin Dillon | -2
16. Alex Bowman | -5
The NASCAR Cup Series visits one of NASCAR’s ‘Crown Jewel’ spectacle for the Annual Running of the Cook Out Southern 500 hosted by Darlington Raceway
Sunday, August 31, 2025
6 p.m. ET
USA Network, SIRIUSXM NASCAR Chanel 90, MRN