Ryan Preeceonly led five laps, but that was more than enough to completely change the complexion of his season. When the race-ending caution flag flew, he was just ahead of Daniel Suarez, earning his first-ever NASCAR Cup win in his 249th career start.
The win also vaulted him above Shane van Gisbergen in the championship standings, taking the 16th and final spot inside the Chase. SVG even earned his first-ever oval stage win, but it wasn't enough to stop Preece.
Both stage winners finished poorly, as Van Gisbergen placed 28th and Ryan Blaney placed 33rd after a last-lap crash.
22 different drivers led at least one lap in the action-packed race, with Austin Hill leading the most laps at 27.
The race also went six laps beyond the scheduled distance, ending in overtime.
Read Also: Ryan Preece earns huge win in Daytona thriller, eliminating Shane Van Gisbergen from the Chase The complete NASCAR Cup 2026 Chase grid after points reset 2026 NASCAR Cup Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona race results cla # driver manufacturer laps time gap int pits laps led retirement pts best time best lap 160 Ryan PreeceFord1662:40'57.884 85 6746.2203227 Daniel SuarezChevrolet1662:40'57.9080.0240.02411 3845.64934345 Tyler ReddickToyota1662:40'58.5250.6410.617115 3446.21494471 Michael McDowellChevrolet1662:40'58.5260.6420.00110 3345.76493547 Ricky Stenhouse JrChevrolet1662:40'59.2461.3620.720111 3245.4512162 Austin CindricFord1662:40'59.9912.1070.74596 3246.0953473 Austin DillonChevrolet1662:41'00.6902.8060.69911 3045.70193848 Alex BowmanChevrolet1662:41'01.9724.0881.28210 2946.08034921 Josh BerryFord1662:41'02.1994.3150.22761 2845.814171041 Cole CusterChevrolet1662:41'02.2004.3160.00110 2745.800741111 Denny HamlinToyota1662:41'02.3284.4440.12813 2645.841841235 Harrison BurtonToyota1662:41'04.7336.8492.4055 46.167931319 Chase BriscoeToyota1662:41'04.7346.8500.001910 3446.20532146 Brad KeselowskiFord1662:41'04.7806.8960.046610 2345.969321542 John Hunter NemechekToyota1662:41'07.7489.8642.968102 2446.113341667 Corey HeimToyota1662:41'07.96310.0790.2159 46.149891720 Christopher BellToyota1662:41'07.96410.0800.0019 2046.220311822 Joey LoganoFord1662:41'13.81215.9285.84862 2746.051341934 Todd GillilandFord1662:41'14.21316.3290.40158 2445.985302023 Darrell Wallace JrToyota1662:41'15.35517.4711.1427 2145.971832110 Ty DillonChevrolet1662:41'16.02718.1430.6728 1645.880322224 William ByronChevrolet1662:41'16.23018.3460.2031114 2246.18293239 Chase ElliottChevrolet1662:41'16.61218.7280.3821119 1645.85932241 Ross ChastainChevrolet1662:41'17.05119.1670.4391112 1346.171342588 Connor ZilischChevrolet1662:41'17.05219.1680.00112 1245.94289264 Noah GragsonFord1662:41'18.44220.5581.3908 1245.353212733 Austin HillChevrolet1662:41'18.90321.0190.461827 46.171932897 Shane van GisbergenChevrolet1662:41'22.75924.8753.856106 1946.166932978 Daniel DyeChevrolet1662:41'57.84859.96435.0898 45.8701343016 AJ AllmendingerChevrolet1662:42'10.8071'12.92312.9598 745.94514315 Kyle LarsonChevrolet1662:42'19.1491'21.2658.342102 1646.245323238 Zane SmithFord1652:40'10.0661 Lap1 Lap615Accident1345.690323312 Ryan BlaneyFord1652:40'10.3061 Lap0.24055Accident1446.102113454 Ty GibbsToyota1652:40'11.0251 Lap0.71961Accident1246.276343551 Cody WareChevrolet1652:40'11.1871 Lap0.16278Accident246.102853644 Joey GaseChevrolet1652:41'21.5711 Lap1'10.38411 45.8661333762 Casey MearsChevrolet1652:41'23.2961 Lap1.72510 145.925213877 Carson HocevarChevrolet1542:18'54.47912 Laps11 Laps61Accident145.450143943 Erik JonesToyota1542:18'54.95212 Laps0.4735 Accident846.024344017 Chris BuescherFord1512:41'31.46315 Laps3 Laps126 145.981119
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