Ryan Blaney Daytona race victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona captured the attention of the NASCAR world, with some analysts debating whether the driver’s surge from 13th to first in the closing laps was a stroke of luck or pure skill. The win secured Blaney’s second trip to Victory Lane in the 2025 season and marked a riveting end to the regular season.
Blaney’s late-race performance quickly became a hot topic, sparking discussion between Freddie Kraft of Door Bumper Clear and The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck during a recent episode of Kraft’s podcast. Observers, including fans and insiders, offered contrasting takes on how much credit should be given to Blaney for his dramatic finish in the No. 12 Ford.
Experts Debate the Chaotic Daytona Finish
Freddie Kraft gave his candid view on Blaney’s victory, questioning just how much the driver had to do with the wild finish in the final moments of the race:
“The funny thing I thought was, you know, everybody was like, ‘Ryan was 13th with two to go and wins the race,’ and they’re all, ‘Oh, what a run!’ And I’m like—he didn’t really do anything. Like, the seas just kind of parted for him,”
—Freddie Kraft, Door Bumper Clear
Kraft recounted how Blaney was in the right place at the right time, riding a wave of momentum and opportunities that unfolded in front of him:
“He pushed the hell out of the 41, got him up to the front row, then the 41 and the 7 start blocking each other, and Ryan’s just there. The seas part, and next thing you know, Ryan’s leading the race. Then he’s just gotta block a little bit down the frontstretch for the win.”
—Freddie Kraft, Door Bumper Clear
Despite Kraft’s view that Blaney mostly capitalized on others’ moves, Jeff Gluck from The Athletic argued that Blaney still deserved major recognition for pulling off the improbable charge through the field. Gluck’s take reflected broader questions about the nature of today’s NASCAR racing, where the product is often defined by unpredictable finishes.
Blaney, Suarez, and Jones Highlight Daytona’s Wild Finish
Jeff Gluck brought further attention to just how competitive the end of the Daytona race turned out, pointing out significant position changes in the running order:
“Here’s the thing, though — maybe it’s a low bar, but I just think fans are like, ‘Man, we saw people actually able to make moves at the end.’ I mean, Ryan goes from 13th to first, Suarez goes from 19th to second, and Jones goes from 25th to fifth, I think,”
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
This explosive final sequence thrilled longtime fans who remembered legends like Dale Sr. at Talladega, using skill and timing to advance in the final laps. The parallels to earlier eras of plate racing were clear, where drivers like Suarez and Jones also made remarkable surges just as Blaney did.
Gluck underscored the excitement fans felt by witnessing multiple drivers make dramatic advances as the checkered flag neared:
“And even if it was the perfect storm, I think people are just like, ‘Thank goodness.’ Like, we finally got to see some movement.”
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
The Victory’s Impact and What Lies Ahead
Ryan Blaney’s Daytona race victory solidified his place as a contender heading into the playoffs, adding another highlight to an already strong season. Conversation around his win—debates among analysts, a memorable performance by Daniel Suarez (coming from 19th to second), and a strong finish for Jones (from 25th to fifth)—reflect the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of modern superspeedway competition.
While the focus of insiders like Freddie Kraft and Jeff Gluck may vary, there is no debate that Blaney now holds the trophy. As the regular season ends, Blaney, Ford, and his team at Victory Lane look towards another championship run, hoping to build on their recent momentum. With the unpredictable nature shown at Daytona, the stage is set for more intense racing as NASCAR’s top drivers, including past champions and rising stars, gear up for the next round of high-stakes competition.
