Joey Logano’s Daytona race unraveled with just 13 laps to go, a moment that looked hauntingly similar to his 2024 Daytona 500 heartbreak. Leading the field in command of the Coke Zero Sugar 400, he suddenly spun after a bump from Erik Jones, sliding helplessly into the grass. What seemed like a sure Penske victory ended with Logano buried in 27th, his chance gone. Ryan Blaney surged through the late chaos to take the win, while Logano turned the page toward the playoffs.
Key Highlights
Joey Logano spun from the lead at Daytona after contact with Erik Jones.
Logano finished 27th but remained optimistic about his playoff chances.
He credited Jones’s timing and hard push for the incident.
Ryan Blaney capitalized on the chaos to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
Ryan Preece narrowly missed a career-first win after late-race blocking.
Joey Logano Brushes Off Daytona Wreck
Joey Logano walked away from Daytona with frustration but also perspective, describing the chaos of superspeedway racing as nothing new.
“Yeah, sounds like a speedway, doesn’t it?” – Joey Logano
He believed his No. 22 team executed flawlessly until the push from Erik Jones at the wrong moment.
“Just another great car, another well-executed race. Always sure we were up there the whole time. Even when we lost our track position, we figured out ways to get up there.” – Joey Logano
When asked about the contact, he framed it as part of hard racing at Daytona.
“The car was loose, and Eric was running hard, just trying to make the playoffs. His run came at the wrong time, and he tried pushing me as we slid out.” – Joey Logano
Logano’s Mustang slid into the infield grass, and while attempting to control the car, he clipped Chris Buescher, adding another layer to the wreck. NASCAR threw the caution as Logano sat stranded in the grass, watching his chance at a win vanish.
Playoff Focus Despite Heartbreak
Though his night ended in disappointment, Logano turned the conversation toward the postseason. With one win, double-digit top-10s, and nearly 400 laps led this year, he heads into the playoffs firmly in the top 10 in points.
“I feel like our team’s in a good spot. I feel like we executed the races really well in the last five or six. The team’s been there, done that. We know how to do it, so I look forward to the playoffs. I always do, and I feel like we’re in a good spot to get after it again.” – Joey Logano
As a three-time champion, Logano emphasized that the real challenge starts now. Despite a wreck that mirrored his Daytona 500 disappointment, he showed little panic, confident that Penske remains prepared to contend deep into the playoffs.
Ryan Preece’s Frustration in Final Laps
While Logano’s race ended in the grass, Ryan Preece came painfully close to his first Cup Series win. Positioned perfectly in the closing laps, he watched as Hendrick teammates blocked his lane to protect Alex Bowman, who surged through for the win.
“The problem is that the #9 [Chase Elliott] and #5 [Kyle Larson] were worried about their teammate that would have been bumped out [Bowman]. So, sh—y situation. Thought we were going to win that one. We did everything right today, and it just didn’t work out.” – Ryan Preece
Preece eventually finished 14th, not enough to lock himself into the playoffs. His frustration was evident.
“It just seems to be another week where we didn’t win, but [it] wasn’t for a lack of trying.” – Ryan Preece
His near miss underlined how superspeedway racing often takes away more than it gives, turning opportunity into heartbreak in an instant.
News in Brief: Joey Logano’s Daytona Spin Raises Painful Echo of Past Heartbreak
The 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona brought chaos and heartbreak for Joey Logano, who spun from the lead after contact with Erik Jones and finished 27th. Ryan Blaney surged from 13th with two laps left to win, while Ryan Preece came within sight of his first Cup victory before Hendrick teammates blocked his line, forcing him to 14th. Logano remains confident as he enters the playoffs inside the top 10 in points, aiming for a fourth championship run.
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