Bubba Wallace hopes Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona makes him a star in the “The World Center of Racing.” (Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It may not be the last train to Clarksville, but Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 is a last chance to make the Playoffs.
Unlike past years, Round 26 of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season offers only one ticket to pursue the championship. For the victor, plentiful publicity awaits after clambering out of the car and the days preceding next Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington.
As for the drivers who will miss out, it is a time to for soul searching as to what went wrong this year. After all, it is a crushing scenario for any racer and team after the hard work and effort of 26 races in the past six months.
Heavy hitters like Chase Elliott, Daniel Suárez, Alex Bowman and Austin Cindric vie for the 16th and final postseason spot held by Bubba Wallace. For these weekend warriors, it is all or nothing in a race that will at least be 160 laps or 400 miles around this 2.5-mile superspeedway.
For those dabbling in Saturday night’s race as a part-time competitor or the 15 Playoff bound drivers, it will be hold your breath and hope for the best for about 3 hours. Undoubtedly, racing at Daytona proves dramatic as it is exciting with spellbinding moves and daredevil aggression on full display.
When all is said and done, for those who persevere and emerge unscathed from Daytona, for the most part, it will feel like a win. Then again, nothing will compare to the jubilation that the winner and final postseason bound racers and teams will experience amidst some fireworks and Florida coastline moonlight.
Once the NASCAR official unfurls the green flag on race day, it is anyone’s guess as to who will prevail in this year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. For the time being, come along for the ride this and each race weekend with Podium Preview.
This weekend, Cody Shoppe, Jasmine Sharpe, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler, Teresa Bennink and yours truly consider Bubba Wallace’s postseason odds and a driver and team who surprised us, for better or worse.
Podium Preview: Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
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Question 1
Bubba Wallace sits 32 points ahead of his nearest pursuer for the final Playoffs spot. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
With Bubba Wallace 32 points to the good to make this year’s Playoffs, will he be able to retain his 16th spot in Saturday night’s race at Daytona?
Lambeth : If there’s a repeat winner on Saturday night, I think Bubba Wallace will easily secure the final spot in the postseason, assuming he doesn’t run into trouble. His performance last weekend at Watkins Glen was very impressive for a driver who typically struggles on road courses. Getting those crucial stage points and a solid finish inside the top 15 may end up being the difference maker between making the playoffs or not, depending on how the cards fall under the lights at Daytona.
Wallace is a strong superspeedway racer so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him running toward the front most of the night. I expect to see an aggressive driver, contending for stage points. If the No. 23 Toyota can avoid the wrecks and execute to perfection on pit road, I believe the 23XI Racing driver will be there at the end fighting for a win at the World Center of Racing.
Bennink : I think there will be a repeat winner at Daytona this weekend and Bubba Wallace keeps his Playoff spot. I think that Chase Elliott has the best chance to knock Wallace out. However, I do not think the No. 9 team has all of their ducks in a row to be able to pull off a perfect race and stay out of trouble.
Sharpe : Daytona is a track full of history, wrecks, and the impossible happening. One moment, things seem to be in complete control, and the next can be full of a field of wrestling ked cars and broken dreams.
Consistency and a calm demeanor seem to help the best at this track. Being able to adapt and adjust on a whim is what keeps plenty of folks out of havoc and a mostly intact vehicle.
While personally I believe a Ford will snag the win, it seems like Bubba Wallace with his overall talent could have a chance at snagging a great finish, sealing himself into the playoffs, and potentially having a grab at the Championship.
Chase I don’t believe will catch up, Hendrick has not had the greatest season with the No. nine Napa driver. Perhaps the four HMS can rally together and assist in bringing Elliot to the Playoffs.
Sisoler : I agree with Kobe. I don’t think any driver outside the top 16 wins, which means I think Bubba Wallace is definitely in without hitting early and/or heavy trouble. I do expect Bubba, who is a very good plate racer to try and contend at the front, going for as many points as possible before the final stage, and provided the pit crew doesn’t shoot themselves in the foot again, to be trying to stamp his ticket to the playoffs with a checkered flag.
Question 2
Michael McDowell has emerged as a great storyline driver this season. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Which driver and team surprises you the most going into the regular season finale at Daytona in terms of shocking successes or struggles?
Torres : Alex Bowman once again dealing with regression. I’ve stressed this many times that while he had won four times in 2021, he was still the weakest link at Hendrick Motorsports.
William Byron has taken time to mesh on the Cup level and with Rudy Fugle leading the way, it’s proved to me that Byron was always stronger than Byron. Yes, “Power of Fugle” has played a huge role but at least Byron is now a proven winner.
Before the injury, Bowman looked poised in having his greatest season consistency and pace wise. Since then, he hasn’t been the same compared to Chase Elliott, who at least has been competitive despite also missing races due to injury and a one-race suspension.
It’s amazingly sad how Bowman hasn’t been on par with his teammates despite what 2021 says otherwise. All-in-all he’s been a surprise in a bad way.
As it pertains to being surprisingly good, I’m gonna have to go with RFK Racing. Primarily because Brad Keselowski has been quietly putting on amazing results. Yes, that win eludes the 2012 champ, but to be inside the top-10 in points showcases how RFK have improved all across the board this year.
Keselowski is due for a win and who knows, maybe he’ll get it done this weekend at Daytona.
Chris Buescher is having his breakthrough Cup season. I’ve always known he can produce. I’m curious how he’ll fare in the playoffs and hope he can have a similar run Christopher Bell had last year. Main difference is that Buescher has shown it more consistently going into the playoffs than Bell did, so he’s going to be a quasi-dark horse contender.
Tiongson : I am quite impressed with RFK Racing as a whole. Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher have really showcased speed and strength with the Ford Mustangs from their Concord, North Carolina shop all season long.
Considering how the team only won once with Buescher in last fall’s Bristol Night Race, this season has been a return to form for this longrunning Ford Performance team. This year’s victories at Richmond and Michigan weren’t “lucked out” moments but genuine, gritty pace that has turned the No. 17 into a true Playoff contender.
Let’s also consider how fast Keselowski has been, especially during this summer. It is only a matter of time before he returns to Victory Lane for the first time since the 2021 Talladega spring race. I expect some good things from the Michigan native once the Playoffs kick off next weekend.
Sharpe : RFK. Last year after Brad Keselowski helped gain partial ownership in the team, it appears that things are going on a steady climb for the Ford team. Chris Buescher is finally getting his chance to shine and with a teammate like Brad, I think 2024 is going to be even better.
Legacy Motor Club has been the laughing stock of 2023. It all started with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Championship winner Jimmie Johnson becoming a co-owner, swapping and changing things around that last year were steadily improving for the Chevy team. While adding Noah Gragson into the No. 42 car was a great idea, it seems that the overall performance of the group has decreased. Perhaps switching over to Toyota as a manufacturer for 2024 will assist in the funding and overall development of the team.
Shoppe : My positive surprise for the 2023 regular season has to be RFK Racing. From being outside the Playoffs picture a year ago to now being in the conversation of being the best performing Ford team is incredible!
The negative surprise has to be the half of Hendrick Motorsports that is in danger of missing the playoffs. While Byron and Larson have a real chance of being championship contenders, Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman must win to get one of them in the Playoffs at all. From driver injuries, penalties, and lack of performance, it is a surprise to see these two has such disappointing years.
When making two laps around Daytona, how can you not smile? Before we return to the beach, let’s rewind to last Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen, Race No. 25 of 36 comprising this year’s NASCAR Cup Series season with our race and points reports!
Sisoler and yours truly chose AJ Allmendinger.
Meanwhile, Sisoler closes in on a regular season championship.
Next, here are the top 10 starters for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona provisionally listed by anticipated row formation.
Outside | Inside
Row 1
Chase Briscoe | Aric Almirola
(Photo: Christopher Vargas and Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Row 2
Bubba Wallace | Harrison Burton
(Photo: Christopher Vargas and Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Row 3
Riley Herbst | Ty Gibbs (R)
(Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Row 4
Ryan Blaney | Kyle Larson
(Photo: Christopher Vargas and Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Row 5
Kevin Harvick | Ryan Preece
(Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)
Now, here are our picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona!
Lambeth : After earning three second-place finishes in previous Daytona races, I believe Bubba Wallace will finally get his big breakthrough win and earn himself a spot in the postseason!
Tiongson : Alright, let’s go with Joey Logano for a Saturday night triumph at Daytona. It has been a quiet season for the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion. However, I think a victory at “The World Center of Racing” may jumpstart the No. 22 team’s momentum ahead of the Playoffs.
Sisoler : When it comes to Daytona, it really is up in the air (the odds, hopefully not the drivers) on who is gonna win. There is so much that goes into both the 500 and the 400, but despite him being involved in wrecks a bunch, Joey Logano is statistically one of the best drivers at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, so I’m riding with the driver of the Shell Pennzoil Ford to have a solid finish in the final regular season race of the 2023 Cup Series schedule.
Bennink : Fords have been the strongest manufacturer on superspeedways this year, and Ryan Blaney has a seven top 10 finishes including a win at Daytona in 2021.
Sharpe : YRB (Ryan Blaney) is highly skilled at plate tracks. With him being already in the Playoffs, he doesn’t have the pressures his best friends Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliot have. With a clear mind, he’ll be able to make decisions without feeling over pressured and stressed.
Torres : I have nothing to lose here. As David Malukas said, “beautiful chaos” will happen at Daytona. In a bizarre way, I’m going to go with an unthinkable, unfathomable race winner mostly to see how dumbfounded people are going to feel.
Yes indeed, I’m going with Ty Dillon for the grand walk-off victory and finesse himself into the playoffs. Anything can happen at Daytona and Spire Motorsports already did it before with Justin Haley. Only this time, it’s going to be due to “beautiful chaos” where Dillon will give Spire its second Cup win.
Shoppe : Brad Keselowski has come so close to winning at drafting tracks lately. And with his last win coming at Talladega in 2021, how is a big threat if he can survive the carnage. Being locked into the playoffs on points last week, the 6 team has nothing to lose this week by swinging for the fence and win the last regular season race!
We’re ready for some racing. How about you? What do you think are the biggest storylines heading into the race? Who are your favorites to win? Tweet us now @ThePodiumFinish and tell us now!
Thanks as always to the TPF team for their amazing efforts this week as we celebrate our 15th anniversary of operations!
The opinions and thoughts expressed in Podium Preview are solely of the authors. They do not reflect any organizations affiliated with the participants and author outside of TPF. This weekly feature is strictly for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, they are not indicative of TPF, the organization and its staff.
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