Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway was the final opportunity for 20 drivers to win their way into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Now, even before the green-and-white checkered flag at the end of the race’s first stage, several drivers have already had their chance at a season-saving victory eviscerated.
Here’s the replay of the 12-car accident that has damaged the win-and-in potential for several drivers early in Saturday’s #CokeZeroSugar400.
Stenhouse, Gragson, and Busch are among drivers in those category currently in the garage. #NASCAR
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) August 24, 2025
The wreck happened after a four-wide situation at the exit of the final corner went wrong, with a bump from Kyle Larson sending Bubba Wallace slightly down into the track into the side of Joey Logano, triggering a 12-car incident.
Involved in the accident: Austin Cindric, Noah Gragson, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Austin Hill, Riley Herbst, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Alex Bowman.
Herbst, Busch, Stenhouse, and Gragson were among those who needed to capture a victory in Saturday’s event to make the postseason.
Maybe the biggest story here, though, is Alex Bowman. The Hendrick Motorsports driver came into the evening 29 points behind Tyler Reddick, but both were in the postseason.
Should one of the 20 drivers in a must-win situation end up taking the checkered flag on Saturday, then Bowman and Reddick would be battling for the final spot in the Playoffs.
Bowman sustained significant damage to his Ally Financial Chevrolet in the incident and has retired from the event. That means, with a new winner, the No. 48 would be knocked out of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Tyler Reddick has officially clinched a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, via points, courtesy of Bowman’s retirement from the event.
#NASCAR… @TylerReddick has clinched a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, via his points position.
The final spot in the #NASCARPlayoffs will either be awarded to Alex Bowman or a new winner tonight at Daytona.
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) August 24, 2025
With more than 120 laps remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale, there are still 32 cars on the lead lap, fighting it out for the victory.
