NASCAR introduces eligibility changes for Coke Zero Sugar 400

NASCAR's Coke Zero Sugar 400 is set to take place as the final race of the Cup Series regular season on August 27, 2026. The event's eligibility rules have changed, with the 'win and you’re in' provision now removed from the postseason criteria. Instead, only the top 16 drivers in points standings will qualify for the playoff, increasing focus on the overall standings. This race has undergone numerous changes since its inception in 1959, originally created to complete the schedule for Daytona. As the event approaches, attention will center on the points battles among drivers.

• 9:03 AMYahoo Sports — Daytona's other NASCAR race sees another change, and this one is more subtle