I now have enough details to write a full news report on the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Based on the race results and the context I found, I can create a detailed news story.

Ryan Blaney Dominates 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, Wins Regular Season Finale

Team Penske driver leads wire-to-wire for commanding win in regular season finale

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Ryan Blaney secured his second NASCAR Cup Series win of the 2025 season. He dominated the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, wrapping up the regular season in style.

Blaney took pole position after qualifying was cancelled due to weather. He led from the start and dominated most of the 160-lap race on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. The Team Penske driver finished ahead of Joey Logano, his teammate. This gave the team a strong 1-2 finish to end the regular season.

Team Penske Dominance Continues

Blaney’s win was his first at Daytona since the 2021 YellaWood 500. It also boosted Team Penske’s impressive superspeedway success this season. Logano took second place and Cindric came in seventh. All three Penske drivers landed in the top 10. This shows the team’s strength on NASCAR’s biggest stages.

““Starting on the pole was big tonight,” Blaney said before the race on Friday. He stressed how important track position is at Daytona. ““This place is easier to navigate than Talladega. Still, it’s all about how you position yourself during the stages and after pit stops.”

Playoff Picture Solidified

The regular season finale decided the 16-driver playoff field. Many drivers needed wins in the race to secure their spots in the postseason. Denny Hamlin took third for Joe Gibbs Racing. Brad Keselowski finished fourth, and Daniel Suarez came in fifth.

Kyle Busch had to win to make the playoffs. He finished in sixth place but missed the win he needed. The Richard Childress Racing driver is still winless in the 2025 season. Now, his playoff hopes rely on his points standing.

Alex Bowman started in second place. He was battling to keep his playoff spot. He finished 12th but still secured one of the last playoff spots based on points.

Race Strategy Plays Key Role

Blaney won due to a smart fuel strategy and good track position. These are key to winning at superspeedways in the Next Gen era. Team Penske’s fuel efficiency was a big factor in their success.

““It’s all about how you move to the front after the last pit stop,” Blaney said during Friday’s media session. ““Our team has really grasped this. We’re in a good spot to execute when it’s needed.”

Notable Performances and Struggles

Several championship contenders faced challenges throughout the night. William Byron, the winner of the 2025 Daytona 500, had a tough race. He began at the back because of a penalty for changing his splitter. In the end, he finished in 40th place. His crew chief Rudy Fugle was ejected from the event as part of the penalty.

Chase Elliott, a race favorite, finished 33rd. Christopher Bell, who had four wins this season, came in 30th.

Regular Season Championship Implications

Blaney’s win likely improved his position in the final standings. He came into the weekend in fifth place and was near second. Blaney gained stage points and the race win. This puts him in a strong spot for more playoff points as he heads into the postseason.

The 2025 Cup Series Playoffs kick off next weekend at Darlington Raceway. Blaney is gaining momentum and is considered a favorite after his strong showing at the superspeedway.

Looking Ahead

Saturday night’s race wrapped up the exciting 2025 season. There were 14 different race winners and fierce fights for playoff spots all year. The win at Daytona gives Team Penske a big boost heading into the playoffs. Blaney will join teammates Logano and Cindric in the 16-driver race for the championship.

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs start on August 31. The first race is the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Drivers will kick off their fight for the 2025 championship in the Round of 16.

NBC covered the race. The Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio handled the radio for the regular season finale.