Ryan Blaney’s late-race surge at Daytona International Speedway turned the Coke Zero Sugar 400 into a night to remember. From 13th position with just two laps remaining, the 2023 Cup Series champion threaded through chaos and powered the No. 12 Ford across the finish line first. His margin over Daniel Suarez was a mere 0.031 seconds, a razor-thin gap that sealed playoff fates across the garage. For others, heartbreak was left on the high banks under the lights of Daytona.
Key Highlights
Ryan Blaney charged from 13th to first in the final two laps to win at Daytona
Daniel Suarez and Justin Haley finished second and third in a dramatic four-wide dash
Alex Bowman advanced into the playoffs despite crashing out after 27 laps
Tyler Reddick also advanced on points as Blaney’s win denied a first-time victor
The 16-driver playoff field is now set, led by Kyle Larson and William Byron
A Spoiler’s Victory
Blaney began the evening from the pole after qualifying was canceled and quickly showed his speed, leading 26 of the opening 34 laps. But the path forward grew complicated as pit strategy shuffled him into fuel-saving mode. For most of the night, Blaney was mired in traffic, waiting for a final chance. That chance came with two laps to go.
“What a wild last couple of laps, honestly. I was with Cole [Custer]… and we were able to really get good shoves.” – Ryan Blaney
Working with drafting partners, Blaney seized an opening when Custer and Justin Haley fought for position on the backstretch. The door opened, and the No. 12 shot through. In the scramble to the line, Blaney edged Suarez and Haley in one of the closest finishes of the season.
Suarez and Haley Come Up Short
For Daniel Suarez, the runner-up finish represented both pride and frustration. He carried speed all night in the No. 99 but fell just short when it mattered most.
“I feel like we didn’t set ourselves up as good as we wanted to be… Our playoff run ends here, but I’m very positive we’re going to be in victory lane very soon.” – Daniel Suarez
Haley, who finished third, lamented his missed opportunity after leading in the closing laps.
“I got too far out in front. I tried to save it, but at the end of the day, I just got too far out front. It hurts.” – Justin Haley
Both drivers needed a win to secure a playoff berth, and both were denied in the most painful fashion.
Playoff Implications
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 carried heavy consequences. With 14 different winners entering the night, the last two playoff spots came down to points or a first-time victor. When Blaney, already locked into the field, snatched the win, Alex Bowman and Tyler Reddick breathed sighs of relief.
Bowman’s race ended early after a Lap 27 crash eliminated him from competition. Had Suarez, Haley, or another winless driver claimed victory, Bowman would have been out. Instead, Blaney’s spoiling effort kept him alive. Reddick also secured advancement despite a 21st-place finish. The official 16-driver playoff field includes race winners such as Larson, Byron, and Denny Hamlin, joined by Bowman and Reddick on points.
Blaney’s Perspective
Blaney emphasized how the victory was built on patience and a willingness to adjust strategies throughout the night.
“I think we kind of just took what was given to us… We got there when it mattered. It’s cool to win here again.” – Ryan Blaney
While he tied for the most laps led with 27, he only returned to the front on the very last lap. The win marks another Daytona triumph for Blaney, who also celebrated victory at the track earlier in his career. For the driver of the No. 12, it was further confirmation that his playoff push is peaking at the right moment.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 Results
| Fin | No | Driver |
| 1 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 2 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
| 3 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 4 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 5 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 6 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 7 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 8 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 9 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 10 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 11 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 12 | 71 | |
| 13 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 14 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 15 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 16 | 88 | |
| 17 | 42 | |
| 18 | 6 | |
| 19 | 24 | William Byron |
| 20 | 51 | Cody Ware |
| 21 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 22 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 23 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 24 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 25 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 26 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 27 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 28 | 44 | Joey Gase |
| 29 | 66 | Casey Mears |
| 30 | 33 | Austin Hill |
| 31 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 32 | 78 | BJ McLeod |
| 33 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 34 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 35 | 47 | |
| 36 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 37 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 38 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 39 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 40 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
News in Brief: 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Full Finishing Order
Ryan Blaney captured the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, storming from 13th to first in the final two laps. He edged Daniel Suarez and Justin Haley by fractions of a second, preventing them from reaching the playoffs. Alex Bowman and Tyler Reddick advanced on points as the playoff field of 16 was finalized. Kyle Larson and William Byron lead the reset standings. The postseason begins August 31 at Darlington. Follow every lap of NASCAR’s playoff chase with sharp analysis and unmatched intensity all season long
ALSO READ: 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 lineup: Ryan Blaney leads, William Byron Penalized
