Harrison Burton's victory at the Daytona Coke Zero Sugar 400 vaulted him into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, leaving Ross Chastain and Bubba Wallace needing strong performances at Darlington to secure their spots. The race was marked by two major crashes involving multiple top drivers, including Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott, impacting playoff standings. Michael McDowell won the pole for the race, with teammate Todd Gilliland securing the outside pole. Stewart Haas Racing announced it will close at the end of the season, adding intrigue to the driver and charter markets. The playoff picture remains fluid with two races left, intensifying the competition as drivers vie for the remaining spots.