Winners and losers from a sensational NASCAR Cup race at Daytona
While fuel-saving remained ever-present, the new rules package seemed to improve the racing product at Daytona International Speedway, as drivers were able to make moves all throughout the field and it never felt truly gridlocked. At the end of the day, it was Ryan Preece ending his 0-248 streak with a huge win at Daytona, one that vaulted him up into the Chase for the first time in his entire…
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway saw Ryan Preece end his 248-race winless streak, earning him his first victory of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season. This triumph catapulted Preece into the Chase for the first time, with a 17-point margin over SVG, who ended the season without a single top 16 finish. Trackhouse Racing, despite starting the race with a powerful 31-point buffer and a Stage 1 win, failed to secure a spot in the postseason as their drivers couldn't climb above 24th place.
Daniel Suarez, driving for Spire Motorsports, secured a second-place finish, moving him up two spots in the standings. Zane Smith, on the other hand, had a frustrating weekend as he lost control of his car in the final moments, crashing out of the top 16. Harrison Burton, filling in for Riley Herbst, had a successful debut in his first Cup Series start since 2024, finishing 12th in his Toyota.
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