SpaceX rocket launches over Daytona International during Coke Zero Sugar 400

While the NASCAR Coke Zero Sugar 400 didn’t have a flyover pre-race, it had a SpaceX rocket launch over Daytona. Just as the big crash with Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs was happening, the Falcon 9 rocket took off, a glowing red ember in the sky.

NASCAR fans in attendance were more than excited to see the SpaceX rocket take off and over the top of Daytona International Speedway. Stock cars and shooting stars. Folks in attendance were taking pictures and videos of the event. They watched it go as half the field got crumpled up in a big wreck.

Talk about getting your money’s worth. NASCAR and Daytona are known for flyovers, but this might be the most unique ever. Here’s a great video of the rocket from Sportsnaut‘s Matt Weaver.

The Falcon 9 rocket launch takes place as the NASCAR Cup Series field races down the backstretch pic.twitter.com/Q5kxuQVT3x

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 27, 2023

While this was likely not planned whatsoever between the two entities, it is a very cool crossover. People who are into engines tend to be into anything that burns fuel, makes loud noises, and has a large engine of sorts. Rockets and race cars go together like peanut butter and jelly, really.

The SpaceX launch was a welcome sight at Daytona. However, the action on the track had most people’s attention. There is a spot in the playoffs up for grabs and there are a lot of drivers that can take it.

So, who is going to take advantage and earn a checkered flag at Daytona?

SpaceX rocket watches over Daytona madness

Between the wreck with Ryan Blaney and the three-wide racing, we saw in Stage 2, that Space X rocket saw Daytona at its best. Seriously, who wasn’t on the edge of their seat as there was three and sometimes four-wide racing at the World Center of Racing?

Chase Elliott is still in this race. He has a chance to make the playoffs for the eighth year in a row. However, he has to win. Then, there are others such as Bubba Wallace. Wallace needs to win or hope that whoever wins isn’t below the cutline.

After Stage 2, Martin Truex Jr. officially clinched the regular season championship. That grants him a big trophy and 15 bonus points for the playoffs. That is equivalent to three race wins worth of points. Three of the six regular season champions have gone on to win the playoffs. That includes Truex Jr. in 2017.

This race is going to come down to the end and SpaceX or not, Daytona is going to Daytona. Expect at least one more big wreck in this race.