Ryan Blaney solidified his place as NASCAR’s top contender with a thrilling victory at Daytona International Speedway. Celebrating amid billowing smoke and fireworks, he notched his sixth straight top-10 finish and underscored his status as the driver to beat.

In a thrilling finish at Daytona’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, four potential spoilers nearly stole the last NASCAR playoff berth. Instead, Alex Bowman captured it when Ryan Blaney’s victory sealed the longshot contenders’ fate.

NASCAR is once again at the center of debate as a winning car unexpectedly used two different drivers. Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch’s Daytona victory continues to spark questions since he didn’t finish the race himself, fueling further intrigue in the motorsport world.