Ryan Blaney (22) and team celebrate the win during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Ryan Blaney wins wild Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona in photo finish

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 11:17 PM ET

In a race that saw lead change after lead change in the closing laps, Ryan Blaney edged ahead of the pack and scored the win in Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.

A push on the exit of Turn 4 on the final lap was enough to lead Blaney to victory over a host of drivers who needed a win to make the Cup Series playoffs.

RYAN BLANEY WINS AT DAYTONA AFTER A WILD FINAL LAP! pic.twitter.com/4vs4N17mxM
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 24, 2025

The win is Blaney's second at Daytona and his second of the 2025 season.

Daniel Suarez finished runner-up, with Justin Haley, Cole Custer and Erik Jones rounding out the top five. Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, Josh Berry and Chase Elliott completed the top-10.

An aggressive block from Haley on Custer on the final lap allowed Blaney to get the necessary momentum to make a run at the win. Suarez, Haley and Custer were three-wide for second at the checkered flag.

Other notable finishers include Christopher Bell in 13th, Brad Keselowski in 18th, two-time Daytona 500 champion William Byron in 19th, Denny Hamlin in 25th and Kyle Busch in 33rd.

Tyler Reddick clinched a playoff spot on points after Alex Bowman crashed early, but Bowman also earned a playoff bid by virtue of Blaney's victory.

The Cup Series playoff field is now set, with the playoffs set to begin on Aug. 31 with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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