Daytona ... final race before the Chase

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Daytona Motor Speedway. Last week Dale, Jr said it was his favorite race track, which is surprising because of it being the last race track his father ever ran on. There is so much history on this track, and it will have some interesting implications for 2 of the best drivers this year.

If Daytona is won by a driver already in the playoffs, the final spot will come down to the points standings. Ryan Blaney, third in points this season, is the highest-ranked driver without a win or a playoff spot, and Martin Truex, Jr, sixth in the standings and 25 points behind Blaney, is the only driver who can catch him. But, there are 13 other racers (besides Blaney and Truex) in the top 30 who haven't one a race this year. If any one of those 13 win, BOTH Blaney and Truex are out. It is possible the 3rd best driver or the 6th best driver based on points this year could be out of the Chase. Keep in mind Bubba Wallace usually runs well at Daytona.

NASCAR is saying that even though Kurt Busch hasn't run the last several races, with a repeat winner last week, he is guaranteed a spot in the chase.

So, Daytona: The Coke Zero Sugar 400 marks the 151st time the NASCAR Cup Series will race at DAYTONA International Speedway. With 31 degrees of banking in the turns and 18 degrees in the tri-oval, the track located in Daytona Beach, FL always brings excitement. Richard Petty holds the most Cup victories at Daytona, with 7 total. The track is 2.5 miles long and it will take 160 laps to complete the 400 miles.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is happening at 7:00PM on SATURDAY and will be broadcast on NBC. Qualifying is Friday at 5:05PM.

 

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It has already been mentioned how Blaney and Truex are battling for the 16th spot, but any of 13 other racers could bump them with a win on Saturday night. Among those 13 other drivers are past superspeedway winners: Bubba Wallace, Erik Jones, Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon, Justin Haley, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Hmmm, that makes it even more interesting.

But wait Daytona and restrictor plate racing in the summer has been known to lead to drivers getting their first ever win. You need a list? Here you go: A. J. Foyt (1964), Sam McQuagg (1966), Greg Sacks (1985), Jimmy Spencer (1994), John Andrett (1997), Greg Biffle (2003), David Ragan (2011), Aric Almirola (2014), Erik Jones (2018), Justin Haley (2019), and William Byron (2020).

Hmmm, that means Todd Gilliland, Harrison Burton, or Ty Dillon could win and be in. Unfortunately for Corey Lajoie, he is sitting in 31st place in points and even with a win he would still be out of the top 30 and would not be eligible for the Chase.

So, be prepared for a lot of rubbing and drafting, and blocking ... Could it be a race with a bunch of cautions and a race of autrition ... last car running sort of thing? What do you think with 15 racers locked in, but wanting more playoff points and 15 racers trying to win to be in and all of them with restrictor plates to keep the speeds even, it will be about pit strategies, tires, driver skill, and luck in avoiding the wreck in front or beside you.

 

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Kurt Busch has withdrawn his "Medical Exemption" request. That means he is done for the season and now there are 14 winners for the 16 places. As of right now Blaney and Truex are in with Eric Jones being 187 points out in 7th place. That means if we don't have a "new" winner from the top 30 in points, Blaney and Truex are in the mix. If we get a new winner, these two are 25 points apart, so their finish could effect the Chase 16.

 

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Larson
Elliott
Joey
Suarez
Bell
These are your top 5 qualifiers for Daytona.

 

[OhioRiverFloater]

Wow are they to the chase already. I stopped watching NASCAR when the started doing the segmented races. To me that's not real racing anymore because it takes the endurance out of the race. Maybe that's why they are having a hard time filling the stands.

 

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Rain on the track ... projected start time is now 9PM

 

[64osby]

Going to make for a late night if this goes off at 9.

 

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Race is postponed until tomorrow morning at 10AM ... Guess I won't be adjusting my roster during the race since I will be in service from 10 till about 12 or 12:30. Bummer.

 

[64osby]

There is a 50% chance of rain from 10an till 8pm tomorrow. It the race happens I will be amazed.

 

[aspeck]

Race started on time … I just got home and found it onCNBC. 48 laps to go but rain is coming … lightning could be coming to the area so they are racing like it might be the end …

 

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Chase Briscoe gets loose on lap 33 and takes out a bunch … Austin Dillon, Burton, Wallace, Gilliland, Custer, Bowman and Stenhouse involved.

Some drivers coming in under yellow and some staying out because the rain is coming …

 

[aspeck]

And on the restart Eric Jones takes out Joey. Haley is leading. If Haley wins he is in. Truex leads Blaney by 3 points, so Truex would be in and Blaney out …

 

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Okay, they all wreck! Austin Dillion came through unscathed and it is starting to rain. 22 laps to go.

 

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The 3 leaders all lost grip at the same time because of the rain … Stenhouse was airborne … oh the carnage!

 

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Race is red flagged with 21 to go and it is pouring rain. Now we wait to see what happens with the weather … will NASCAR call the race? How long will they wait?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Heard they had the big one and Dillon won? Or is it still red flagged?

 

[aspeck]

It was a big one! Only 6 cars don’t have any damage on them! It is still red flagged. Just saw the track and there is some blue sky, so they may be able to get the last 21 laps in when and if they can get the track dry before the next cell of rain moves in …

 

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Dillion
Harvick
Cassill
Ware
Cindric
Twerp
Truex
McCloud
Ragan
Gragson
These are your top10 if we go back to racing, or the top 10 finishers if NASCAR calls it …

 

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Track is drying and NASCAR is saying that if they don’t get any more rain they will start racing at 4:10 (five or take).

 

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Cars are rolling again … yellow flag 20 to go.