Ryan Blaney wins 2025 Daytona race in electrifying fashion, halting Ford‘s lengthy losing streak and capping off NASCAR‘s regular season with a dramatic finish at the historic track. The chaotic conclusion, packed with intense battles and strategic moves, also resulted in Alex Bowman clinching the final playoff spot after an early crash took him out of contention.
Blaney Ends Ford’s Drought with Pivotal Victory
In a season finale marked by shifting fortunes, Blaney secured his second victory of the year and ended Ford’s 12-race winless spell. The final laps at Daytona showcased Blaney’s determination and composure, particularly after a caution flag waved with eight to go due to Joey Logano, Blaney’s Team Penske teammate, being spun from the lead. This incident placed several winless drivers at the front, setting up a tense battle for not only the race win but the last available playoff place.
The closing stages saw a mix of Hendrick drivers, including Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, looking to increase their season win totals, while also aiming to keep teammate Alex Bowman eligible for the playoffs. Other contenders such as Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Justin Haley, and Erik Jones fought fiercely, knowing that a win would secure their own postseason spot.
Final Laps Filled with High-Speed Drama
The restart with Jones and Haley on the front row led to a reshuffling of the lead pack. Larson, positioned behind Jones, made contact that nearly sent Jones into the wall, costing him a shot at victory. As the laps dwindled, Larson’s decision to move to the high side with Elliott and several other drivers shifted track positions, leaving Preece stranded in the middle lane.
The opportunity opened for Cole Custer and Blaney to surge forward as momentum swung back to the high and middle grooves. Custer earned the lead as the drivers took the white flag, fighting to stay ahead while Blaney, Haley, and Daniel Suaréz fanned out four-wide, setting the stage for a breathtaking dash to the checkered flag. Blaney won by maintaining pace in the frenzied middle line—his second victory this season, following his previous win in Nashville.
“What a wild last couple of laps, I was with Cole,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
“I asked him on the restart, if you’re going to the top, I’m going with you. The opportunity came.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Impact on Playoff Picture After Turbulent Race
The intense contest and the presence of a repeat winner meant that the final playoff berth came down to points, with Bowman, despite retiring early due to a multi-car crash on lap 31, managing to secure his place in the postseason field of 16. Only Bowman and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick reached the playoffs by means other than a race win this year.
Blaney crossed the stripe ahead of a group of drivers—Daniel Suarez from Trackhouse, Justin Haley from Spire, Cole Custer representing Haas Factory, and Erik Jones for Legacy MC—each of whom would have claimed a playoff berth with a win. The finish order underscored just how competitive the closing miles at Daytona proved to be, with Larson narrowly beating Buescher for the sixth position.
“It was not the traditional way we like to run; we like to lead laps, but we got there when it mattered.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Blaney’s Season and Next Steps in the Championship
Blaney delivered a strong overall performance, leading 27 laps, primarily in the opening stage, before a lengthy pit stop temporarily set him back. His eventual rally to the front tied him with Joey Logano for the most laps led in the race, highlighting both drivers‘ competitiveness. With this win, Blaney advances to second place in the point standings as the NASCAR Playoffs are set to begin in Darlington the following week.
This race not only decided the playoff field but also carried significant implications for drivers and fans, as victories and last-minute moves shifted the championship outlook. The conclusion at Daytona guarantees heightened anticipation as the ten-race playoff stretch starts, with momentum like Blaney’s likely to play a major factor in the battles ahead.
Other Key Storylines from the Daytona Finale
Numerous incidents early in the race, including the crash that eliminated Alex Bowman, strongly influenced the playoff scenario, with ripple effects seen throughout the tightly packed field. Blaney’s crucial win in Nashville earlier in the season provided additional context for his strong year, while Byron’s triumph in the 2025 NASCAR Regular Season Title also shaped the competitive environment approaching the postseason.
With Daytona’s unpredictable finals now decided, attention turns to Darlington, where the fight for the NASCAR Cup intensifies and every lap will matter for the championship hopefuls.
