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Big Implications For NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Finale At Daytona

It all comes down to this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, this Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and if history is any indicator of what to expect this weekend, everybody has a shot at the win.

With Kurt Busch’s announcement to withdraw his medical waiver into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, two Playoff spots are now up for grabs heading into this weekend, and they are currently held by Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in 15th and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. in 16th in the Playoff standings outlook. But 13 other drivers that are eligible for the postseason are facing a ‘Win or Go Home’ situation this weekend and will be vying for one of those last two postseason spots making Saturday night’s race that much more intense.

Since the inception of the Playoffs in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2004, Richmond Raceway hosted the regular season finale from 2004 to 2017 (14 years), and then from 2018-2019 Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the final regular season event. This weekend marks the third time the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway has hosted the Cup Series regular season finale (2020-2022).

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs is currently operating in its third iteration of the postseason’s points system since its inception in 2004. The first Playoff points system (from 2004 to 2009) had the top 10 to 12 drivers earn their position in the Playoffs by points only. The second version of the Playoff points system (2010 to 2013) incorporated the top 10 drivers to get in on wins/points with the addition of two extra drivers referred to as the Wild cards. The third version of the Playoff points system (2014 to Present) features drivers vying for the top 16 Playoff spots either by points or the ‘Win and You’re In’ rule. The third version of the Playoffs also instituted the elimination style format with four drivers being eliminated from the Playoffs at the conclusion of each postseason round culminating with the Championship 4 battling it out for the title in the season finale.

Playoff Points System 1 (2004-2006 – Top 10 in on Points; 2007-2009 – Top 12 in on Points)

Four drivers have come from outside the postseason cutoff to make the Playoffs at Richmond in the first iteration of the Playoff championship format:

  • Jeremy Mayfield in 2004 made up a 55-point deficit
  • Ryan Newman in 2005 made up a one-point deficit
  • Kasey Kahne in 2006 made up a 30-point deficit
  • Brian Vickers in 2009 made up a 20-point deficit

Playoff Points System 2 (2010-2013 – Top 10 in on Wins/Points and Two Wildcards)

Seven drivers have come from outside the postseason cutoff to make the Playoffs at Richmond in the second iteration of the Playoff championship format that incorporates the Wild Card:

  • Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2010 to make the Playoffs. Biffle was 11th in points with one win; Bowyer was 12th in points with no wins heading into the regular season finale.
  • Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2011 to make the Playoffs. Keselowski was 11th in points with three wins; Hamlin was 12th in points with one win heading into the regular season finale.
  • Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2012 to make the Playoffs. Kahne was 11th in points with two wins; Gordon was 13th in points with one win heading into the regular season finale.
  • Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2013 to make the Playoffs. Kahne was 12th in points with two wins; Newman was 14th in points with one win heading into regular season finale.
  • Due to a rare instance in the final race of the regular season that resulted in penalties being issued in 2013; a 13th car (Jeff Gordon’s No. 24) was added to the Playoffs. It was the second time in the Playoff Era the number of entries was expanded.

 Playoff Points System 3 (2014 – Present – Top 16 in on Wins or Points/Elimination Style)

In the third iteration of the Playoff championship format from 2014-Present – Only one driver (William Byron) outside the Playoff cutoff has raced their way into the Playoffs in the regular season finale through points or last-minute wins.

  • From 2014 to 2018, the drivers that won or were inside the top 16 in the standings that were expected to make the Playoffs did – no drivers raced their way into the Playoffs in the regular season finale on points or wins.
  • In 2019, heading into the regular season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Ryan Newman was tied with Daniel Suarez for the 16th and final transfer position to the Playoffs. Newman finished eighth in the regular season finale to Suarez’s 11th-place finish, earning the final transfer spot into the postseason.
  • In 2020, six drivers inside the Playoff cutoff (top 16) had not clinched a spot in the postseason heading into Daytona, but all six ultimately clinched their spots, led by William Byron, who became the first driver to win his way into the Playoffs by taking the victory in the regular season finale. No drivers outside the top 16 advanced into Playoffs in the regular season finale.
  • Heading into the final race of the regular season at Daytona International Speedway, the 2021 season had produced 13 different winners with two additional drivers clinching their spots on points leaving just one spot still available to make the Playoffs, and it was Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick battling it out for the final postseason position. Ultimately, Ryan Blaney won the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, but he had already clinched his spot in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs earlier in the season. Because of the repeat winner, the 16th and final Playoff spot was earned by points, and it was Tyler Reddick’s fifth-place finish to Austin Dillon’s 17th at Daytona that earned him enough points to advance for the first time in his career to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

NASCAR Cup Series

  • Next Race: Coke Zero Sugar 400
  • The Place: Daytona International Speedway
  • The Date: Saturday, August 27
  • The Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • The Purse: $8,312,719
  • TV: NBC, 7 p.m. ET
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
  • Distance: 400 miles (160 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 35),
  • Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 95), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 160)

Clinch Scenarios: Two spots, one last chance

This weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway is the last opportunity for the drivers who have not clinched a spot in the Playoffs to earn their position in the postseason. A total of 14 drivers have already clinched their Playoff spot, leaving just two spots open for drivers to battle it out in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Already Clinched

The following 14 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe.

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the Playoffs this weekend at Daytona, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the third winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Ryan Blaney or Martin Truex Jr.

  • Ryan Blaney: Would clinch regardless of finish
  • Martin Truex Jr.: Would clinch regardless of finish

If there is a new winner from Erik Jones or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the second winless driver in the standings.

  • Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 31 points
  • Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

  • Ryan Blaney (Average finish at Daytona 18.3)
  • Martin Truex Jr. (21.9)
  • Erik Jones (22.0)
  • Aric Almirola (20.1)
  • Austin Dillon (15.4)
  • Bubba Wallace (12.5)
  • Chris Buescher (22.0)
  • Justin Haley (10.7)
  • Michael McDowell (19.7)
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (20.0)
  • Cole Custer (24.4)
  • Brad Keselowski (22.6)
  • Harrison Burton (39.0)
  • Ty Dillon (19.7)
  • Todd Gilliland (33.0)
2022 Driver Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 25
RankDriverPointsWinsStagesPlayoff PtsPts From Cutoff
1Chase Elliott9224525In On Wins
2Kyle Larson7882313
3Joey Logano7672414
4Ross Chastain7612515
5Kevin Harvick6902010
6William Byron6642313
7Tyler Reddick6022212
8Denny Hamlin5912313
9Christopher Bell733127
10Kyle Busch679116
11Alex Bowman615116
12Daniel Suarez614127
13Austin Cindric #580116
14Chase Briscoe571149
15Ryan Blaney779055212
16Martin Truex Jr.754077187
17Erik Jones567000-187
18Aric Almirola560000-194
19Austin Dillon524000-230
20Bubba Wallace519011-235
21Chris Buescher512000-242
23Justin Haley480000-274
24Michael McDowell43500-10-319
25Ricky Stenhouse Jr.432000-322
26Cole Custer431000-323
27Brad Keselowski41100-10-343
28Harrison Burton #395000-359
29Ty Dillon377000-377
30Todd Gilliland #374000-380
22Kurt Busch485127Waived Eligibility

Team Penske’s driver Ryan Blaney is just 25 points up on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. heading into this weekend’s regular season finale, which will be important as the final two Playoff spots are settled. Truex is looking to make the Playoffs for the 10th time in his career. But the North Carolina native, Blaney, is playing it cool despite the added pressure.

“You can’t stress yourself out about it,” said Blaney. “It is either going to happen, or it isn’t, whether you make the Playoffs or not.”

As Blaney attempts to make the postseason for the sixth time in his career this weekend, he will also be looking to become the sixth driver in series history to win consecutive Summer races at Daytona; joining Fireball Roberts (1962-1963), A.J. Foyt (1964-1965), Cale Yarborough (1967-1968) David Pearson (1972 – 1974) and Tony Stewart (2005-2006).

Truex on the other hand is looking for his first win on a superspeedway since joining the NASCAR Cup Series. In 34 Daytona starts, he has put up three top fives and five top 10s. He finished runner-up in this race in 2018.

Daytona International Speedway: The perfect stage for the regular season finale

All eyes will be on the ‘World Center of Racing’ this weekend – Daytona International Speedway – as the iconic hallowed grounds will play host to the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

Daytona International Speedway, the 2.5-mile paved superspeedway oval located in Daytona Beach, Florida, has hosted 150 NASCAR Cup Series races since the inaugural event in 1959 – 64 have been 500 miles, 59 were 400 miles and four were 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races. But this weekend marks just the third time the summer race will be the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale (2020-2022).

The 150 NASCAR Cup Series races at the historic Daytona International Speedway have produced 63 different pole winners and 69 different race winners. NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Daytona with 12 (Feb. 1968, July 1969, 1970 sweep, 1978 sweep, July 1980, July 1981, July 1983, 1984 sweep, July 1986). Eight of the 12 poles are from the summer race, which is also the series-most for that event.

Nine of the 63 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona pole winners are active this weekend, but only three have won poles for the summer race at Daytona: Chase Elliott (2018), Kyle Busch (2013) and Kevin Harvick (2002).

RankActive Daytona Pole WinnersPolesSeasons
1Chase Elliott32018 (July), 2017 (Feb.), 2016 (Feb.)
2Alex Bowman22021 (Feb.), 2018 (Feb.)
3Kyle Larson12022 (Feb.)
4Ricky Stenhouse Jr12020 (Feb.)
5William Byron12019 (Feb.)
6Austin Dillon12014 (Feb.)
7Kyle Busch12013 (July)
8Martin Truex Jr12009 (Feb.)
9Kevin Harvick12002 (July)

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Daytona with 10 victories (Feb. 1964, Feb. 1966, Feb. 1971, Feb. 1973, Feb. 1974, July 1975, July 1977, Feb. 1979, Feb. 1981, July 1984). Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (Feb. 2016, Feb. 2019, Feb. 2020) leads all active drivers in Daytona wins with three.

Of the 69 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona winners, 41 of them have won the summer race (59.4%). NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in summer race victories at Daytona with five wins (1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978).

A total of 15 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona winners are active this weekend and 10 of those 15 have won the summer event at Daytona. Eight of the 15 need a win this weekend to secure their spot in the Playoffs (drivers needing a win to make Playoffs bolded in chart below).

RankActive Daytona Race WinnersWinsSeasons
1Denny Hamlin32020 (Feb.), 2019 (Feb.), 2016 (Feb.)
2Kevin Harvick22010 (July), 2007 (Feb.)
3Austin Cindric12022 (Feb.)
4Ryan Blaney12021 (Aug.)
5Michael McDowell12021 (Feb.)
6William Byron12020 (Aug.)
7Justin Haley12019 (July)
8Erik Jones12018 (July)
9Austin Dillon12018 (Feb.)
10Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017 (July)
11Kurt Busch12017 (Feb.)
12Brad Keselowski12016 (July)
13Joey Logano12015 (Feb.)
14Aric Almirola12014 (July)
15David Ragan12011 (July)
16Kyle Busch12008 (July)

The youngest Daytona summer race winner is Justin Haley (07/07/2019 – 20 years, 2 months, 9 days); all-time track record – Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 day). The oldest Daytona summer race winner is Bobby Allison (07/04/1987 – 49 years, 7 months, 1 day); all-time track record is also Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 – 50 years, 5 months, 23 days).

A total of 22 different starting positions have produced winners in the NASCAR Cup Series Summer races at Daytona. The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (nine) than any other starting position in the summer races at Daytona International Speedway. The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series was NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the 2015 July race. The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Daytona is 42nd, by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart in the 2012 July race. Ryan Blaney won last season’s August Daytona race from the sixth starting position, the 47th summer Daytona race (out of 59) won from a starting position inside the top-10 (79.6%).

This weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Daytona International Speedway will begin with Busch Light Pole Qualifying on Friday, August 26 at 5 p.m. ET (USA Network).

First-time winners aplenty at the World Center of Racing

One thing Daytona International Speedway is known for is unpredictable finishes that on occasion produce first-time winners in the NASCAR Cup Series. In fact, three of the last four NASCAR Cup Series summer races at Daytona International Speedway have fashioned just that – first-time winners.

A total of 23 different drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway, 11 of the 23 drivers posted their first win in the summer races. The most recent first-time winner at Daytona was back in February when Team Penske’s Austin Cindric became the first rookie to win the Daytona 500 season opener. The most recent first-time winner in the summer races at Daytona was the August race of 2020 with race winner William Byron earning his spot in the Playoffs.

First-Time Cup Race Winners (23) at Daytona Start Pos.DateDriver’s Age
Austin Cindric5Sunday, February 20, 202223
Michael McDowell17Sunday, February 14, 202136
William Byron6Saturday, August 29, 202022
Justin Haley34Sunday, July 7, 201920
Erik Jones29Saturday, July 7, 201822
Aric Almirola15Sunday, July 6, 201430
David Ragan5Saturday, July 2, 201125
Trevor Bayne32Sunday, February 20, 201120
Greg Biffle30Saturday, July 5, 200333
Michael Waltrip19Sunday, February 18, 200137
John Andretti3Saturday, July 5, 199734
Jimmy Spencer3Saturday, July 2, 199437
Sterling Marlin4Sunday, February 20, 199436
Derrike Cope12Sunday, February 18, 199031
Greg Sacks9Thursday, July 4, 198532
Pete Hamilton9Sunday, February 22, 197027
Mario Andretti12Sunday, February 26, 196726
Sam McQuagg4Monday, July 4, 196628
Earl Balmer6Friday, February 25, 196630
A.J. Foyt19Saturday, July 4, 196429
Bobby Isaac4Friday, February 21, 196431
Tiny Lund12Sunday, February 24, 196333
Johnny Rutherford9Friday, February 22, 196324

Of 23 different drivers that posted their first NASCAR Cup Series career win at Daytona International Speedway, Justin Haley started the deepest in the field at Daytona to win his first race with a 34th-place starting position in 2019.

Hendrick Motorsports and Chase Elliott win 2022 Regular Season Championship

Last weekend at Watkins Glen International, Hendrick Motorsports driver and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott from Dawsonville, Georgia became the fifth different driver to win the Regular Season Championship presented by Coca-Cola; joining Kyle Larson (2021), Kevin Harvick (2020), Kyle Busch (2019, 2018) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017).

With the 2022 Regular Season Championship, Elliott will not only take home the trophy and the prestige but also the 15 bonus Playoff points. Elliott currently leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff points this season with 25 and with the addition of the bonus 15, he is looking at entering the postseason with at least 40 Playoffs points.

This season marks the seventh time Elliott has earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. In 25 starts this year, he has collected a series-leading four wins, five stage wins, 10 top fives and 17 top 10s.

Looking ahead to the season finale this weekend at Daytona, Elliott is looking for his first win at the iconic high-banked track. In 13 series starts at Daytona, he has put up two top fives and four top 10s.

Daytona Dominators: The best of the best at the World Center of Racing

Winning at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious tracks, Daytona International Speedway, is a major accomplishment. So, it is not all that surprising that the top 10 series winningest drivers at Daytona are all in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Top 10 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona International Speedway Winners

RankDaytona WinnersTotalDaytona 500 WinsSummer Race Wins
1Richard Petty1073
2Cale Yarborough954
3David Pearson835
4Fireball Roberts743
5Bobby Allison633
 Jeff Gordon633
7Bill Elliott422
 Dale Earnhardt Jr422
Dale Jarrett431
 Junior Johnson440
Tony Stewart404

This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series field will have 16 former Daytona International Speedway winners entered, led by Denny Hamlin with three wins. The most recent winner at Daytona that is entered this weekend is rookie Austin Cindric who won the Daytona 500 (2022) earlier this season.

Cindric heads into this weekend looking to become the sixth different driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to sweep both Daytona races (Daytona 500 & Summer race) in a single season; joining Fireball Roberts – 1962 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 250); Cale Yarborough – 1968 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400); LeeRoy Yarborough – 1969 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400); Bobbie Allison – 1982 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400); Jimmie Johnson – 2013 (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola)

Since the ‘Win and You’re In’ format was initiated in the Playoffs in 2016, Erik Jones’ 2018 summer race win and William Byron’s summer win last season are the only two summer race victories at Daytona to clinch a driver into the postseason – the other three winners were either not eligible for the Playoffs due to not competing for a championship in the series (Haley in 2019) or the drivers had already previously won in the same season (Keselowski in 2016 and Stenhouse in 2017).

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Kurt Busch waives Playoff exemption – 23XI Racing and Kurt Busch announced this week that Kurt Busch will waive his medical exemption into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs giving up his postseason position.

“As much as I wanted and hoped to be able to get back in the No. 45 car to make a playoff run with our team, it’s still not the right time for me,” said Busch. “In addition to not being cleared to return to racing, I know that I am not ready to be back in the car. I respect the sport of NASCAR, my fellow drivers and the fans too much to take up a playoff spot if I know I can’t compete for a championship this season. The decision was not an easy one, but I know it is the right thing to do. I will continue to take time to heal and strengthen as I prepare to be back in the car and will do all I can to help 23XI continue the success we have had this season.”

With Busch no longer participating in the Playoffs, there are now two postseason spots up for grabs this weekend at Daytona International Speedway and they are currently occupied by Ryan Blaney (15th) and Martin Truex Jr. (16th).

“Kurt has elevated our entire organization this year,” said 23XI team president, Steve Lauletta. “Although Kurt will not be competing for a championship this season, he will continue to play a vital role in the organization as he works with our competition group to keep improving and strengthening the team.”

The No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota team will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Owner Playoffs this season, and Ty Gibbs will be behind the wheel at Daytona. If the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota team were to win the NASCAR Cup Series owners title, it would be just the third time in series history that a split driver and owner championship has occurred and the first time since 1963.

The first time the NASCAR Cup Series had a split driver and owners championship was in 1954. Lee Petty won the drivers championship that season on seven wins, driving a Petty Enterprises Chrysler, but it was car owner Herb Thomas who took home the owners championship in 1954 after his No. 92 Hudson team finished the season with 12 victories.

The second and only other time the series saw a spit championship was in 1963, when Joe Weatherly won the series driver championship, but it was the Wood Brothers Racing organization that won the owners championship that season. Weatherly’s season was strong putting up three wins and 35 top 10s in 54 starts, but the famous No. 21 team was able to grab five wins on the season and take the owners title.

Better Than Ezra to perform pre-race concert at Daytona – Multi-platinum rock band Better Than Ezra will perform the pre-race concert at Daytona International Speedway prior to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, Aug. 27. The New Orleans-based group will take the stage at 5:30 p.m. ET on pit road and the concert is just one of many pre-race activities available for fans this weekend.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to play at a venue as renowned as Daytona International Speedway, let alone at such an exciting event,” said Kevin Griffin, lead singer, guitarist and pianist in the band. “We can’t wait to perform for a crowd as enthusiastic as NASCAR fans, and we plan to put on a great show for everyone.”

In 2018, Better Than Ezra was named to Billboard’s “100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time,” as well as earning a spot on Billboard’s “100 Greatest Alternative Songs of All Time” with their hit song “Good.”

“Between the pre-race festivities and the action-packed competition, the upcoming weekend at The World Center of Racing is slated to be a fantastic event,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Now, with the addition of Better Than Ezra as our pre-race concert, it’s going to be even more special. I’m thrilled we’re able to continue the pre-race concert series in 2022 and create such a wonderful experience for all the fans.”

Spoiler Alert for Daytona – While majority of the competitors this weekend will be vying for NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and running for points and wins in the NASCAR Cup Series championship, five drivers are entered in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 that are not running for the title in the series and are looking to play the spoiler by grabbing the win this weekend – Daniel Hemric (No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet), Ty Gibbs (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota), Noah Gragson (No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet), Landon Cassill (No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet) and BJ McLeod (No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford).

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