{"id":97891,"date":"2025-08-26T08:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/97891\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T08:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:46:11","slug":"nascar-monday-mash-up-daytona-delivers-thrilling-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/97891\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Daytona delivers thrilling weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another exciting summer weekend at Daytona International Speedway for NASCAR in the Xfinity and Cup Series<\/a> has come and gone. A lot happened over the weekend. So, let\u2019s recap everything you need to know and then head to Darlington and Portland for our next race weekend. <\/p>\n

The Cup Series regular season finale was at Daytona. No surprise winner this year as we saw a four-wide finish at the line. <\/p>\n

A lot went down at Daytona. There was off-track and on-track drama and updates. Let\u2019s get into it all before we move on from the superspeedway and focus our attention towards the Southern 500. <\/p>\n

More Cup drivers in O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series 2026? <\/p>\n

Towards the end of last week, NASCAR President Steve O\u2019Donnell talked about what will be the O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026. Turns out, there could be updates. <\/p>\n

One of the main changes that is likely to happen \u2013 more races for Cup drivers. Are we going to see the Return of the Buschwhackers? <\/p>\n

Mother Nature ruins qualifying for NASCAR Xfinity, Cup<\/p>\n

When it comes to on-track action, both Xfinity and Cup qualifying were canceled due to weather. Lightning in the area proved to be stubborn and didn\u2019t want anyone getting even a lap on track before the races. <\/p>\n

Daytona in the summer is tricky<\/a>. The fact we got the Cup race in and finished on time was a miracle, to be honest. <\/p>\n

William Byron slammed with post-inspection penalty<\/p>\n

William Byron serves his stop-and-go penalty at the end of Lap 1.<\/p>\n

This was part of the penalty for the 24 team after crew chief Rudy Fugle was thrown out of Daytona for making an unapproved adjustment to the splitter after inspection. pic.twitter.com\/Tq6UrSFoZs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) August 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Before the Coke Zero Sugar 400, William Byron got hit with a big penalty. The 24 team was found to have made a splitter adjustment after inspection<\/a>. Big no-no.<\/p>\n

As a result, Byron lost his crew chief, Rudy Fugle, lost pit selection, had to start in the rear, and had to perform a stop-and-go penalty. Tough.<\/p>\n

Judge puts stop to Rick Ware sale \u2026 for now<\/p>\n

More off the track \u2013 a judge stopped Rick Ware from selling off its business to TJ Puchyr<\/a>. Legacy Motor Club successfully secured a preliminary injunction to prevent the transfer of the charters owned by Ware. <\/p>\n

Legacy says they have claim to at least one of those charters. More legal drama in NASCAR, yay!<\/p>\n

Harrison Burton hit with crush panel in NASCAR Xfinity race<\/p>\n

During the Xfinity Series race, Harrison Burton had a hard time early.<\/a> Burton spun out and didn\u2019t hit the wall, but he still got hit. <\/p>\n

The car was sliding with such force that Burton broke the crush panels off, and they ended up in his car. A ton of metal shavings and dust appeared to also enter his car and gave him all kinds of trouble with his sight. <\/p>\n

Parker Kligerman swaps with Connor Zilisch, wins<\/p>\n

At the first caution of the night, Connor Zilisch got out of his car and swapped with Parker Kligerman. Zilisch is fresh off collarbone surgery and didn\u2019t want to risk anything. <\/p>\n

Kligerman and Zilisch executed the swap perfectly. Then, Kligerman went on to win the whole damn thing<\/a>. Storybook race and finish for the 88 team. <\/p>\n

Zilisch officially going Cup racing in 2026<\/p>\n

The next day after the win, Connor Zilisch got to announce<\/a> that he is going Cup racing in 2026. Everyone knew this news was coming. Trackhouse decided to announce it on Saturday. <\/p>\n

With Zilisch and SVG as teammates in 2026, road course races just got a lot more interesting. Can the teenager adapt to the Cup Series quickly? <\/p>\n

Kaulig Trucks is official 2026 home of Ram in NASCAR<\/p>\n

Ram Trucks and Kaulig Racing came together<\/a> for a very special announcement. Kaulig is going to be home to Ram in the NASCAR Truck Series next season. <\/p>\n

Five truck series teams will fly under the Kaulig banner. That\u2019s going to be quite the experiment for that organization and manufacturer next season. <\/p>\n

Massive wreck changes NASCAR Playoff battle<\/p>\n

During the Coke Zero Sugar 400, there were a few minor incidents. Then, there was a big one<\/a> in Stage 1. Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch came together to cause quite a mess with 12 cars being involved in total. <\/p>\n

Wallace took the blame. Then the blame was thrown to Kyle Larson. It was a racing deal. Still, it changed the race for the final playoff position completely, and likely made the race better by thinning out the field. <\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney breaks hearts, wins Coke Zero Sugar 400<\/p>\n

When Ryan Blaney started on the pole due to qualifying being canceled, he led pretty much all of Stage 1. It was a standard Daytona opening stage, but with a few exciting moments. <\/p>\n

Then, Blaney disappeared. With one lap to go, he was back at the front all of a sudden. Then, as the checkered flag flew, he was out in front of the field<\/a>, stealing the win from Daniel Su\u00e1rez, Cole Custer, Justin Haley, and Erik Jones. Heartbreaker<\/a>. <\/p>\n