NASCAR is one race away before heading into the playoffs. With only one spot remaining in the standings. A win could put someone who is looking outside of the bubble in contention for the championship! Here is the NASCAR regular-season finale at Daytona preview!
The race will be on Saturday, August 28th, at 7:00 pm ET on NBC. The 160 lap race will be split into stages of 50-50-60 with a completion caution on lap 20.
Race Lineup
.@KyleLarsonRacin has earned the #BuschPole for Saturday’s race at @DAYTONA! pic.twitter.com/Ll5LPpkkyL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 25, 2021
Hendrick teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron will lead the pack to green. Behind them, in row two will be Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Chase Elliott and Ryan Blanket will be in row three with Martin Tried Jr and Kurt Busch behind them in row four. Matt DiBenedetto and Brad Keselowski will make up row five and round out the top ten.
Notable drivers starting near the back of the field are Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain who will start in 27th and 29th place respectively.
Regular Season Standings
Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin are still competing for the regular-season championship. Hamlin is only 28 points behind in second. With Daytona being one of the tracks in which he’s found the most success. You can’t count him out in the late stages of the race.
Final Spot in the Playoffs
15 drivers are vying for the final playoff spot Saturday night at @Daytona on @NBC.
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 26, 2021
The simplest path to the postseason for these drivers? WIN. ? pic.twitter.com/0gV0lTLd8j
The battle for the final spot in the playoffs could come down to one of the two RCR drivers, Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon. Reddick has been more consistent overall this season but Dillon has won here before. When it comes to the closing laps, I’m not sure being a teammate will be enough to play nice if it means missing out on the playoffs.
Much like Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr too is sitting out of the bubble and typically does well at superspeedways. A win from him could change up the look of the playoffs completely.
My Picks
Daytona is one of the biggest wildcard races of the year. It doesn’t matter where you start but where you are when the big one hits. Michael McDowell was sitting in the third place when the final wreck happened in the 500. Because of that, it’s difficult to tell who is going to make it to the end. Whoever wins is going to have to have some luck on their side and I don’t think Dillon has had much luck this year. Don’t get me wrong, it’d be cool to see him win and get in at the last minute. But I feel there are too many variables against him.
Saying that makes my pick a little more out there. I’m going to go with Matt DiBenedetto. I know, I know. But what does he have to lose? He has no ride next year and this could be his last chance to show he can be a playoff-level driver. Plus seeing the Wood brothers win their 100th win at Daytona would be incredible to see.
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