​PHOTO: RICK JUNGLAS

DAYTONA DELIVERS A FIRST-TIME WINNER

Ryan Preece survived an early crash, gambled on fuel and raced his way into The Chase with a dramatic overtime victory in the 2026 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

By Rick Junglas
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DAYTONA BEACH — Ryan Preece arrived at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night needing something extraordinary. By the time the checkered flag fell, he had survived an early crash, stretched his fuel farther than anyone thought possible and captured his first points-paying NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Even better, the win propelled Preece into the 16th and final position in NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup.

The 35-year-old Connecticut native entered the Coke Zero Sugar 400 trailing Shane van Gisbergen by 31 points for the final Chase position. By the end of the night, Preece had erased that deficit and finished 17 points ahead.

Ocala’s Good Life’s Rick Junglas was once again at Daytona with camera in hand, capturing the sights from inside one of NASCAR’s biggest race weekends. Long before the engines fired, fans filled the speedway’s midway and FanZone, explored displays and enjoyed a pre-race concert by country duo LOCASH, whose hits include “I Love This Life” and “One Big Country Song.”

Then the focus shifted to the track.

Saturday’s race was the final event of NASCAR’s regular season, and several drivers still had championship hopes riding on the outcome. For Preece, the challenge became even greater after he was caught in an early crash triggered when Chris Buescher went spinning through the tri-oval. Preece’s No. 60 Ford suffered damage, but his RFK Racing crew made repairs and kept him in the race.

As the night progressed, strategy became just as important as speed. Rather than making another pit stop during the final stage, Preece and his team gambled that they could stretch their fuel all the way to the finish.
That decision paid off.

A late caution reshuffled the field and forced van Gisbergen to stop for fuel, dropping him deep into the pack. Preece, meanwhile, restarted near the front with his championship hopes suddenly very much alive.

The race required six extra laps beyond its scheduled 160, setting up an overtime sprint to the finish. Preece battled Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick at the front before surging into the lead as the field approached the white flag. Moments later, a multicar crash erupted behind him, bringing out the caution and freezing the field.

Preece was ahead.

His margin over runner-up Daniel Suárez was just 0.024 seconds. Tyler Reddick finished third, followed by Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Preece, who had entered the evening 31 points outside the Chase. After years of competing at NASCAR’s highest level, he finally had his first points-paying Cup Series victory — and he earned it at Daytona.

For fans in the grandstands, it was another reminder of why Daytona remains one of the most unpredictable stops on the NASCAR schedule. The fastest car doesn’t always win. Sometimes victory comes down to surviving the crashes, making the right strategic call and being in exactly the right lane when the race is decided.

That unpredictability is also what makes the Coke Zero Sugar 400 such an appealing experience for Central Florida fans. Daytona International Speedway is an easy weekend getaway from Ocala, yet race night feels like an entirely different world: live music, packed grandstands, glowing stadium lights and 40 race cars roaring past at nearly 200 mph.
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Being at Daytona shows you why people keep coming back.

The pre-race buzz wasn’t limited to music. Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at the drivers’ meeting, joined by longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer and members of the creative team behind the newly announced sequel to Days of Thunder. Cruise confirmed that he will reprise his role as Cole Trickle in the follow-up to the 1990 NASCAR favorite, with Anne Hathaway joining the cast. The movie is slated for release in 2028, giving race fans one more reason to keep an eye on Daytona in the months ahead. 

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Rick's Pro Tips:

1. Make the drive part of the plan.
From On Top of the World, budget about two hours to reach Daytona before race traffic—and add a generous cushion on Saturday afternoon. Fuel up, eat and handle any errands before you get near the speedway.

2. Use official race-day parking guidance.
Daytona International Speedway assigns or directs parking based on the ticket, lot and arrival route. Check the speedway's “Know Before You Go” and parking information shortly before leaving, then follow electronic signs and traffic officers when you arrive.

3. Decide early: day trip or overnight.
The 7:30 p.m. start makes a same-night return possible, but the race and traffic can make for a late arrival back in Ocala. If you prefer a slower pace, book early in Daytona Beach—or look at Ormond Beach, Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach for nearby alternatives.

4. Pack for a Florida summer night.
Bring sunscreen for the pre-race hours, a refillable water bottle if permitted, comfortable walking shoes and a compact rain poncho. Ear protection is a smart addition for anyone new to NASCAR, especially children and sensitive ears.


For tickets, parking guidance, permitted items and the latest weekend schedule, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com.