The NASCAR regular season is coming to a close. After the last road course before playoffs, NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. As we all know, Superspeedways are unpredictable. And simply picking five drivers I think could win wouldn’t mean anything, because anybody can win at Daytona if you are at the right place at the right time. So forget projecting winners. Let’s talk about this playoff bubble, and what drivers need to do to put themselves in a position to win.
So right now as it stands today, the only spot up for grabs is the last one, which is held by #23 Bubba Wallace at 592 points. #4 Kevin Harvick and #6 Brad Keselowski have secured their spot for the playoffs after no new winners last weekend. There are several drivers below Wallace who could play the points and take his spot should Bubba be involved in an early wreck. So let’s go over them, and then maybe some others that I’m shocked didn’t make it. So without further delay, here is your Coke Zero Sugar 400 preview.
#54 Ty Gibbs & #99 Daniel Suarez could do it
Embed from Getty ImagesGibbs and Suarez are probably the only drivers that can point their way to victory. Obviously, this all hinges on Bubba Wallace having a bad day from the jump. But Gibbs is only -32 from the Bubble, and Suarez is -43. Both drivers have been fine on plate tracks this year. Gibbs finished 9th at Atlanta and was in the hunt to win at Talladega if not for running out of fuel. Suarez finished seventh at the Daytona 500, ninth at Talladega, and was runner-up at the second Atlanta race. Catching Bubba Wallace from 30-40 points back will be hard, but we all know the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is an unpredictable race and anything can happen. If there are no new winners, watch them try to make it close.
#16 A.J. Allmendinger is a longshot
Embed from Getty ImagesUnfortunately, I think Allmendinger’s best chances have long but closed. He was -1 out of the bubble for a little while before the new winners stacked up and when it came time to shine at the Indy Road Course and Watkins Glen, he didn’t deliver. Now he sits -72 of Wallace’s bubble line. He COULD point his way in if “the big one” happens early on and collects Wallace, Suarez, and Gibbs. But it’s an uphill battle. As far as his chances of winning? Slimmer. Dinger’s career average at Superspeedways is 21.2. Although, he did finish sixth at the Daytona 500 and third in the second Atlanta race. Daytona can be random and chaotic, and this could be how Allmendinger squeaks in. But his odds of winning aren’t any different than anybody else. Turn that into hope or into doubt. It’s your call, reader.
#48 Alex Bowman & #9 Chase Elliott are in “must-win” territory
Embed from Getty ImagesI don’t think any of us thought back in February that both Bowman and Elliott wouldn’t be in the playoffs by now. Whether it be by points or wins. But this is the situation we sit in. Elliott missed six races with that broken leg and another due to suspension. Bowman missed a month with a broken back and hasn’t really gotten right since. Respectively Bowman sits -96 of the bubble and Elliott is a whopping -101. It’s a must-win situation, and they’d be lying if they haven’t been operating that way for the past month and a half.
Elliott’s history at Daytona isn’t fabulous. In 15 races there are no wins, two top fives, and an average finish of 22.0. Bowman isn’t any better. Despite winning the pole there consistently, he’s got one top-five and a slightly better average finish with 16.8 in 14 races. They’ll be leaning on teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson (who doesn’t really know the word teamwork) to help put them in position to win, but the Coke Zero Sugar 400 represents a last gasp for both of these drivers to get to victory lane and into the playoffs.
Closing Thoughts
Embed from Getty ImagesSo if you were looking for pool drivers, bets, or anything like that I’m sorry that this piece wasn’t for you. But quite frankly giving you five drivers wouldn’t be much. of anything. As I’ve said repeatedly, Daytona is an unpredictable track, loaded with a history of chaotic finishes. There’s a reason why some driver’s only career victory winds up being here. But I know you people like lists, so I spun a wheel to determine which drivers could win the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
The results are:
- #22 Joey Logano
- #17 Chris Buescher
- #19 Martin Truex Jr
- #34 Michael McDowell
- #9 Chase Elliott
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