Ryan Blaney Wins Daytona, Secures NASCAR Playoff Momentum

Ryan Blaney secured his second victory of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season by winning the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway in a dramatic four-wide finish. Overcoming early-season struggles and multiple DNFs, Blaney charged from 13th place with two laps remaining to pass leader Cole Custer and hold off challengers including Daniel Suárez and Justin Haley. The race was marked by a significant multi-car wreck on lap 27 that ended Alex Bowman's race and put his playoff status in jeopardy, though Bowman and Tyler Reddick ultimately clinched the final two playoff spots. Several winless drivers, including Suárez, Haley, Custer, and Erik Jones, battled fiercely for playoff positions but fell short behind Blaney's dominant finish. The victory, Blaney's 16th career Cup Series win, gives him momentum heading into the playoffs, which commence at Darlington Raceway. The intense competition and strategic late-race moves highlighted the high stakes as drivers vied for playoff qualification and positioning.