NewsNation

NASCAR heads to Daytona: Four things to watch as playoffs loom

Jeff Patterson and Geoff Petrulis

DAYTONA (WFLA) — As the NASCAR Cup Series Championship heads into its final two regular-season races, all eyes are on Daytona for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, followed by the last race at Darlington. These two races will play a crucial role in determining the playoff standings.

Four Things to Watch at Daytona

After a major wreck at Michigan that reshuffled the race’s outcome and the Cup Series points standings, here are the four things to watch as the regular season nears its end:

  1. Points Leader Battle: Tyler Reddick now leads Kyle Larson in the points standings. Reflecting on last year’s mistakes, Reddick emphasized the importance of minimizing bad days to maintain his lead. “We didn’t have a whole lot of playoff points going into it last year, compared to the guys we were competing against for the championship, so I think it’s just minimizing the bad days,” Reddick said.
  2. Race Favorites: Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell are among the favorites at Daytona. While Bell is currently seventh in the standings, a strong finish at Daytona could significantly shake up the points race.
  3. Drivers on the Bubble: The fight to make the top 16 and secure a playoff spot is intense. Joey Logano and Daniel Suarez currently hold the 15th and 16th spots, with Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe just outside the cutoff. Michael McDowell, currently 21st, expressed his focus on making it into the playoffs. “Just really focused on these next four races and trying to get a win and make it into the playoffs,” McDowell said.
  4. The Big Crash: Daytona is known for its high-speed action and the inevitable big crash that can change the race’s outcome. Zane Smith noted the importance of avoiding the crash and maintaining a strong position at the race’s end to secure a place in the top 16. “The luck of the draw. I have no idea. Sometimes you’re in it, sometimes you’re not. And I feel like – the 500 especially – if you’re up front because you have to be…If there’s that late race caution, you need to be up there to have a shot at it. Typically that happens from you not getting involved in the big one.”