League: NASCAR Sport: Motorsports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

NASCAR prepares for Coke Zero Sugar 400 ahead of playoff cut

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 9:03 AM

Last updated Aug 28, 2026

NASCAR prepares for Coke Zero Sugar 400 ahead of playoff cut

Summary

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is set for August 29 at Daytona International Speedway as the final regular-season race of the NASCAR Cup Series. With Denny Hamlin having secured the regular-season title, 16 drivers will make the playoff field, with only the top 18 remaining mathematically eligible. The race will determine the final playoff positions, with two spots still in contention. Qualifying sessions for the race begin Friday afternoon.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Coke Zero Sugar 400 starts at 7:30 p.m. on August 29.
•Denny Hamlin clinched the regular-season title with 1,001 points.
•Only top 16 drivers will qualify for the Chase playoff.
•Two playoff spots remain open as the regular season concludes.
•Qualifying for Cup Series takes place Friday at 5 p.m.

Latest Updates

9:03 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR returns to Daytona with weekend's Coke Zero Sugar 400
9:02 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR playoff picture: Who's in, who's out entering Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona

What they're saying

"
Denny Hamlin already won the regular-season title. Drivers like Alex Bowman have already been eliminated. Here's the NASCAR playoff bubble at Daytona.
— Yahoo Sports