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
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.
- •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.
- 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
"Denny Hamlin already won the regular-season title. Drivers like Alex Bowman have already been eliminated. Here's the NASCAR playoff bubble at Daytona.
"Saturday night's race will be the 26th and final event on the Cup Series regular season schedule.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 28, 2026, 9:03 AMNASCAR returns to Daytona with weekend's Coke Zero Sugar 400
Saturday night's race will be the 26th and final event on the Cup Series regular season schedule.
- Yahoo SportsAug 28, 2026, 9:02 AMNASCAR playoff picture: Who's in, who's out entering Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
Denny Hamlin already won the regular-season title. Drivers like Alex Bowman have already been eliminated. Here's the NASCAR playoff bubble at Daytona.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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