The NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale is here, hitting Daytona this weekend for the Coke Zero 400. This isn’t just another race, folks, it’s the last shot before the postseason chaos begins, especially with The Chase format back in play. Everyone’s wondering if William Byron, the current favorite, will grab that checkered flag or if some long shot will emerge from the field this Saturday.
Byron’s Solid Season and Daytona History
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are sitting joint favorites at +850 on DraftKings Sportsbook, according to the odds released on Aug. 25. But don’t let those odds just sit there, Byron’s story is super interesting. He’s had a solid 2026, pulling off 11 top 10s and four top-five finishes! The guy’s been consistent, even if he hasn’t hit Victory Lane this year. He’s already locked his spot in The Chase, which is huge, but you know he wants that checkered flag badly. He finished 12th at Daytona back in February, but remember his win there in February 2025? He knows how to get it done on this track, and winning this finale would be a massive statement heading into the postseason.
The Chase Bubble and Potential Upsets
Now, while Byron and Blaney are leading the pack, this is Daytona; anything can happen, right? Joey Logano is right behind them at +1100, then you’ve got a formidable group including Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott all at +1200. These guys are serious contenders who could easily shake things up. Beyond that, Kyle Larson and Austin Cindric are both listed at +1600. Chase Briscoe, Carson Hocevar, and Bubba Wallace are all sitting at +2000, while Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski are at +2200. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ty Gibbs, and Austin Dillon are listed at +2800. Any one of these drivers, even the ones further down the board like Josh Berry or Corey Heim at +3000, could surprise everyone.
But let’s talk about the real drama: the bubble. Ryan Preece, at +3500, is one to watch. He’s just below that cutline to make The Chase, meaning this race is absolutely everything for him. He needs a big run, maybe even a win, to punch his ticket. A long shot like Preece making a run for it would be epic, wouldn’t it? His odds put him in the same bracket as Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, and Alex Bowman, showing just how tight that mid-pack truly is for drivers desperate for a postseason shot.
So, this Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. ET, it’s all on the line. Will William Byron double down on his Daytona success from last year, or will a dark horse like Ryan Preece pull off the upset to snag a Chase spot? The postseason kicks off next week, but first, we need a winner at the Coke Zero 400. You absolutely can’t miss this one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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