Ryan Blaney delivered a breathtaking finish at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in Daytona, turning a 13th-place position with just two laps left into a race–winning drive. The dramatic turnaround emphasized why Daytona still stands as one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable venues, showcasing the excitement of superspeedway racing.
How Ryan Blaney Climbed from Mid-Pack to Victory
Ryan Blaney secured the pole position for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 after weather cancellations prevented qualifying, giving him a strong starting point. Early in the race, the Team Penske driver led for 27 laps and set a commanding pace. Despite this, he faced challenges as maintaining a lead at Daytona proved difficult, pushing him back slightly through the opening stages.
Blaney finished the first stage in third place and slipped further to sixth by the end of the second stage. As the final segment approached its conclusion, his position dropped out of the top 10, and with just two laps remaining, he was running 13th. Demonstrating remarkable opportunism, Blaney navigated through tight gaps and made bold moves to surge forward, ultimately claiming his second victory of the 2024-25 season.
Inside Perspectives on Blaney’s Late-Race Surge
On the recent Door Bumper Clear podcast, Freddie Kraft, the spotter for Bubba Wallace, expressed skepticism about the true effort behind Blaney’s win. He focused particularly on Blaney’s position with two laps to go, suggesting that the driver’s advance was less about skillful driving and more a fortunate sequence on the track.
He didn’t do anything. The seas parted for him where he pushed the hell out of the 41 [Custer] got him to the front row, then Custer and Haley start blocking each other, and the next thing you know, Ryan’s leading race and he’s got to block a little bit down the front for the win.
—Freddie Kraft, Bubba Wallace’s spotter
However, co-host Tommy Baldwin disagreed with Kraft’s assessment, pointing out that Blaney’s choice to move into the less-used third groove late in the race played a significant role in his victory. This strategic move helped Blaney gain ground when others were stuck in more congested lines.
Adding further context, motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck highlighted on the podcast how Blaney’s win brought back a nostalgic element of NASCAR. He emphasized that such late-race surges, where drivers climb through numerous positions in the closing laps, remind fans of the sport’s more unpredictable and exciting past.
Understanding the Broader Impact of Blaney’s Win
Whether viewed as a lucky break or a brilliant drive, Ryan Blaney’s triumph at Daytona illustrated why superspeedway races remain a journeyman’s opportunity. The ability for a driver to move from the mid-pack to victory lane in the closing moments keeps fans engaged and adds a layer of uncertainty that defines Daytona’s reputation.
The victory also underscores the influence of track position, split-second decisions, and race dynamics that can change the outcome in an instant. With this win, Blaney reinforces his status as a competitor who thrives in the intense and ever-changing environment of NASCAR’s flagship superspeedway events.
