Drivers to watch, drivers with questions to answer for Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
Is there any way to predict what is going to happen at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway? Well, probably not. However, that won’t stop us from picking some NASCAR drivers to keep an eye on. And of course, there are those that have to step up this week – more so than any other week this season.
With so much on the line this weekend, we are in store for some intense racing. Throw in the fact that it is all going down at Daytona, and that makes it even better. We are going to see blocks, wrecks, and chaos in the purest form this Saturday night.
If a winless driver manages to capture the checkered flag, they are making their way to the NASCAR Playoffs. It will be the job of drivers like Bubba Wallace to avoid that outcome in any way that they can.
Drivers to watch for Coke Zero Sugar 400
Bubba Wallace
Keep an eye on the 23 team. Everything rides on how well this team does in this race. If they are out early in a wreck, Ty Gibbs could catch Bubba Wallace in points. If a winless driver below the cutline takes the checkered flag, Wallace is out as well. He enters in control on points (+32) but might have to win this race. He’s been top-5 four times, P2 twice at this track.
Brad Keselowski
Another top-notch superspeedway driver, Keselowski might get his win this season in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Keselowski won this race in 2016, back when it was in July. While Daytona isn’t as good to him as Talladega has been, he will be a threat to win this race. A win for the 6 does not affect the 23 since Keselowski is locked in.
Austin Cindric
The 2022 Daytona 500 winner wants to get back into the playoffs. Sitting 22nd in the points, just behind Chase Elliott, Cindric would like to get a win this weekend. I expect him to be fast and to be pushing in that front group. If he can manage it, he might just steal another win at Daytona.
Drivers with questions to answer at Daytona
Chase Elliott
He’s never won at Daytona, but Chase Elliott has been runner-up a couple of times. Chase and his team have to avoid mistakes and have to get to the end of the Coke Zero Sugar 400. If they aren’t there with one to go, they don’t have a chance to win. Plain and simple, the No. 9 team’s season rests on them winning this 400-mile superspeedway race. Elliott is the odds-on-favorite.
Ty Gibbs
Heading into this race, Gibbs is in the spot to steal his way into the playoffs on points alone. He needs Wallace to wreck early and then go on to get stage points, and likely a top-15 finish to overcome that 32-point deficit. The rookie has had a great season so far, regardless if he makes the playoffs.
Daniel Suárez
Another driver who had a chance to be in Wallace’s spot a few weeks ago, Daniel Suárez fell off the pace last week. After an impressive Indy weekend, he spun out early at Watkins Glen and never made up the speed. If Gibbs and Wallace wreck early, Suárez is next up in points. However, the 99 team is likely looking to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400.