Blaney’s Last-Lap Masterclass: NASCAR Regular-Season Finale at Daytona Ignites Playoff Fireworks
Ryan Blaney storms from 13th to win the Daytona regular-season finale in a four-wide photo finish. A lap-by-lap strategy breakdown plus playoff impact for NASCAR.

DAYTONA BEACH — A Victory Crafted Two Laps from Oblivion
In what may go down as one of the wildest season finales in recent NASCAR history, Ryan Blaney staged a breathtaking charge from 13th to first in the final two laps of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, narrowly edging out Daniel Suárez by 0.031 seconds in a chaotic, four-wide dash to the line Official Site Of NASCARAP News.
This jaw-dropping victory secured Blaney his second win of 2025, his second at Daytona, and the 15th of his Cup Series career Official Site Of NASCAR+1. More critically, it reshuffled the postseason picture—allowing Alex Bowman to slip into the final playoff spot on points while denying a slew of underdog contenders their Cinderella runs Official Site Of NASCARAP News.
Lap-by-Lap Breakdown: The Anatomy of a Comeback
Lap | Action |
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158 | Blaney charges forward from 13th with the intensity of a freight train heading toward the front of the pack. CBSSports.comOfficial Site Of NASCAR |
159 | As Cole Custer leads, Blaney executes a textbook outside lane push, courtesy of a timely draft from Daniel Suárez. CBSSports.comnewsletter.tobychristie.com |
160 (Final Lap) | He glides past Suárez, Haley, and Custer in a blistering four-wide stretch, sealing the win by mere hundredths of a second. Official Site Of NASCAR+1 |
Strategic Mastery in Motion
Blaney's success wasn’t just raw horsepower—it was patience, positioning, and split-second decision-making:
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He resisted the temptation to force moves early, choosing instead to study the draft and trust his car and crew.
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His crew chief, Jonathan Hassler, emphasized the team’s precision pit work and consistency, pivotal to setting up the late-race push Official Site Of NASCAR.
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Blaney himself credited a mix of “circumstantial stuff” and the ability to “wait for the opportunity to… go make the big move” as the keys to his charge Official Site Of NASCAR.
Playoff Implications: Redemption for Bowman, Heartbreak for Others
Had Suárez, Haley, Custer, or Erik Jones won, they would have punched surprising tickets to the playoffs. Instead:
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Alex Bowman, who nearly watched the race from home, earned the 16th playoff spot by points—a scenario Blaney’s win made possible ReutersOfficial Site Of NASCAR.
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Bowman later quipped he owed Blaney “seven million beers” for saving his season FOX Sports.
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Blaney’s surge also snapped an 11-race winless stretch for Ford and Team Penske, a streak that’s made this victory feel especially pivotal ESPN.comOfficial Site Of NASCAR.
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His finish vaulted him to second in regular-season standings, yielding a coveted 10 bonus playoff points Official Site Of NASCAR+1.
What It Means Going Forward
This frantic finale at Daytona is already being hailed as a possible season-defining moment. As NASCAR.com put it, “We might look back at Daytona as Blaney’s turn toward a title,” as he crashes through adversity—seven DNFs this year—and still stands among the elite heading into the 10-race playoff stretch Official Site Of NASCAR.