The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the 67th annual Coke Zero Sugar 400. The race, scheduled for Saturday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET, marks the 26th event of the season and promises high-speed drama on the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval. With 40 drivers set to compete, qualifying on Friday will determine the starting order for the 160-lap race, giving fans a glimpse at potential favorites and newcomers ready to make their mark in Florida.
Key Highlights
The 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 is the 26th race of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Qualifying takes place Friday, August 22, at 5:05 p.m. ET to set the starting lineup.
Joey Gase will run the first qualifying lap, with Ryan Blaney scheduled for the second.
The race features 40 drivers competing over 160 laps at Daytona’s 2.5-mile track.
Fans can watch the Cup Series action live on NBC Sports Friday and Saturday.
Full Qualifying Order
FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass posted the official qualifying order for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, giving fans a clear view of who will start at the front. Joey Gase leads the qualifying session with a metric score of 42.5, followed by Casey Mears (40.7) and BJ McLeod (39.8). Justin Haley (34.9) and Austin Hill (34.5) round out the top five, demonstrating strong early performances heading into the main event. Ryan Blaney, despite being a top driver, will run later in the session with a metric score of 3.6.
Notable Drivers in the Field
Several Cup Series veterans will compete for positions in the top ten, including Cody Ware (33.2), John Hunter Nemechek (33.0), and Riley Herbst (32.2). Noah Gragson (28.8), Ryan Preece (28.7), and Chase Elliott (27.5) are expected to challenge the front runners. The qualifying order highlights the mix of experienced drivers and newcomers ready to make an impact under the Daytona lights, ensuring an unpredictable and competitive race for fans.
| S.No | Driver | Score |
| 1 | Joey Gase (i) | 42.5 |
| 2 | Casey Mears | 40.7 |
| 3 | BJ McLeod (i) | 39.8 |
| 4 | Justin Haley | 34.9 |
| 5 | Austin Hill (i) | 34.5 |
| 6 | Cody Ware | 33.2 |
| 7 | John Hunter Nemechek | 33 |
| 8 | Riley Herbst # | 32.2 |
| 9 | Noah Gragson | 28.8 |
| 10 | Ryan Preece | 28.7 |
| 11 | Chase Elliott | 27.5 |
| 12 | Cole Custer | 27 |
| 13 | Todd Gilliland | 26.8 |
| 14 | Tyler Reddick | 25.9 |
| 15 | Erik Jones | 25.1 |
| 16 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 24.5 |
| 17 | Chris Buescher | 24.3 |
| 18 | Ty Dillon | 23.6 |
| 19 | Bubba Wallace | 22.6 |
| 20 | AJ Allmendinger | 20.8 |
| 21 | Michael McDowell | 18.2 |
| 22 | Ross Chastain | 17.8 |
| 23 | Ty Gibbs | 17.7 |
| 24 | Shane van Gisbergen # | 17 |
| 25 | Carson Hocevar | 16.5 |
| 26 | Christopher Bell | 16.5 |
| 27 | Kyle Busch | 16 |
| 28 | Zane Smith | 15.8 |
| 29 | Daniel Suárez | 13.6 |
| 30 | Josh Berry | 12.2 |
| 31 | Brad Keselowski | 12 |
| 32 | Chase Briscoe | 11.5 |
| 33 | William Byron | 8.7 |
| 34 | Austin Dillon | 8.2 |
| 35 | Denny Hamlin | 7.6 |
| 36 | Austin Cindric | 7.4 |
| 37 | Joey Logano | 6.4 |
| 38 | Kyle Larson | 5.4 |
| 39 | Alex Bowman | 4.1 |
| 40 | Ryan Blaney | 3.6 |
Rising Contenders and Potential Surprises
Other drivers to watch include Cole Custer (27.0), Todd Gilliland (26.8), Tyler Reddick (25.9), and Erik Jones (25.1), each capable of climbing through the pack on race day. Daytona’s high-speed tri-oval, with 31-degree banking in the turns, often produces unexpected contenders due to drafting dynamics and the threat of multi-car incidents. Fans can anticipate an intense, strategic battle as drivers work to secure playoff points and position themselves for success in the 2025 Cup Series standings.
News in Brief: 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Qualifying Order
The 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 will take place at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, August 23, featuring 40 drivers over 160 laps. Qualifying opens Friday, August 22, at 5:05 p.m. ET, with Joey Gase starting first and Ryan Blaney second. Top qualifiers include Casey Mears, BJ McLeod, Justin Haley, and Austin Hill. NBC Sports will broadcast both qualifying and the main event live, giving fans access to the full Cup Series weekend. Don’t miss the high-speed action and intense competition at one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks.
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