Blaney Victorious in Coke Zero Sugar 400, Larson Claims Regular Season Championship - Engine Builder Magazine

Blaney Victorious in Coke Zero Sugar 400, Larson Claims Regular Season Championship

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series’ regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway unfolded as billed with dramatic action all Saturday night that included 45 lead changes, a 14-minute Red Flag period and a wild final lap of overtime to decide the championship playoff picture.

Ultimately, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney took his second NASCAR Cup Series victory in as many weeks as a huge multi-car accident happened behind him in the last corners of the track on the final lap.

Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford led only seven of the 165 laps, but the 27-year-old North Carolinian took the lead from fellow Ford driver Roush Fenway Racing’s Chris Buescher for the two laps of overtime to claim his third win of the season and seventh of his career. 

Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick earned the 16th and final playoff position with a fifth-place finish in a close and suspenseful battle with his own teammate Austin Dillon.

Kyle Larson, who has a series-best five wins on the season, clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship with a 21st-place finish. Both he and Denny Hamlin were in the last lap wreck. Hamlin, who has led the points standings for all but three of the previous 25 race weekends, finished 14th. 

Blaney’s Daytona win caps an impressive summer run that is good enough to move him into second place in the playoff standings – 28 behind Larson – heading into next week’s playoff opener at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

Coke Zero Sugar 400 Highlights

Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch are ranked third and fourth in the playoff re-set, followed by 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, Hamlin and William Byron. Joey Logano, who led a race-best 37 laps Saturday, but finished 24th, is seeded ninth, followed by his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, this year’s Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell, Aric Almirola, Reddick and Kevin Harvick.

Bubba Wallace, who led eight laps late in the race, finished second – his best result of the 2021 season. Ryan Newman, Ryan Parece and Reddick rounded out the top five; a season best for Newman and Preece as well.

Justin Haley was sixth, followed by Alex Bowman, who won the Xfinity Series race earlier in the afternoon. Chase Elliott, B.J. McLeod and Josh Bilicki rounded out the top 10.

The 10-race elimination style NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin with next Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Kevin Harvick is the defending race winner. Martin Truex Jr. won at Darlington this spring.

You May Also Like

DEI Announces Partnership with Summit Motorsports Park

America’s Racetrack and one of the nation’s premier producers of automotive heat control products are teaming up in 2023. Design Engineering, Inc. (DEI) is pleased to announce a marketing partnership with Summit Motorsports Park, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Opened in 1963, Summit Motorsports Park specializes in presenting family entertainment and hosts a

America’s Racetrack and one of the nation’s premier producers of automotive heat control products are teaming up in 2023.

Design Engineering, Inc. (DEI) is pleased to announce a marketing partnership with Summit Motorsports Park, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Opened in 1963, Summit Motorsports Park specializes in presenting family entertainment and hosts a variety of touring motorsports events throughout the year. It hosts more than 100 events every year, attracting more than 500,000 guests.

Motion Announces Two Executive Promotions

Motion Industries (Mi)–the distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts and industrial technology solutions headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama–has announced the promotions of Joe Limbaugh to executive vice president – chief operations officer (COO) and James Howe to executive vice president – chief commercial officer/chief technology officer, effective June 1. Both will continue to report

Wilwood Engineering Hires Brian Cox as Media Relations Manager

Wilwood Engineering–the Camarillo, California-based designer and manufacturer of high-performance disc brakes and components–has appointed Brian Cox as its new Media Relations Manager.  Related Articles – Unser Racing Museum, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed Announces Merger – Holley Appoints Matthew Stevenson as President, CEO – Feld Motor Sports Announces New Monster Jam Collaboration with Marvel

Mastercam’s CNC Software Appoints New Marketing Director

CNC Software–the developers of Tolland, Connecticut-based Mastercam–has announced that Liz  Shovlin is its new marketing director. Shovlin will lead efforts to support the brand’s ongoing market expansion and further develop the company’s position as one of the global leaders in manufacturing technology. Related Articles – MAHLE Motorsport Hires New Marketing Manager – Former Hot Rod

SCCA Announces ’23 Runoffs Schedule, Bonus Class

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has announced the 2023 installment of the SCCA National Championship Runoffs will take place September 23-October 3, at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.  Related Articles – Weathertech Championship to Feature Four Classes in 2024 – Five IMCA Divisions Featured in Fifth Annual Midwest Madness Tour – Speedway

Other Posts

Niterra North America Inc. Receives Honda Excellence in Delivery and Quality Award

Niterra North America Inc., formerly NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. has recently received the 2022 Excellence in Delivery and Quality Award from Honda. This prestigious award is given to the top original equipment manufacturer (OEM) suppliers in North America who have demonstrated exceptional performance in supplying Honda with parts and materials during the previous year. 

Drag-N-Drive Addiction to Crown a Drag-N-Drive World Champion This Year

New for 2023, The Drag-N-Drive World Champion will exemplify the work and dedication required to be titled best of the best based on the first-ever Drag-N-Drive World Champion Points Series presented by Summit Racing. This award will change how everyone approaches the drag-n-drive form of motorsport.  Related Articles – Gaige Herrera Dominates NHRA Pro Stock

Hot Shot’s Secret Announces Expansion of NTPA Sponsorship

Hot Shot’s Secret, a leading manufacturer of diesel additives and performance racing oils and fluids, announces an expansion of their National Tractor Pullers Association Championship Pulling Series sponsorship for 2023. The new accord establishes a six-event bonus series and point fund titled the Hot Shot’s Secret Challenge. This points challenge will provide a payout in

MAHLE Aftermarket Kicks-Off Inaugural “Powered by MAHLE” Engine Giveaway

MAHLE Aftermarket officially launched its first-ever “Powered by MAHLE” engine giveaway sweepstakes, a social media driven promotion, on Monday, May 1, offering participants the chance to win a brand-new Chevy LS engine. The sweepstakes will be conducted through the MAHLE USA Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mahleusa) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mahle_mpulse_usa/) social media pages. Entry is simple – participants just