Ryan Blaney emerges as king of suspense

The Team Penske driver won the 26th and final race of the season at Daytona International Speedway after a final lap which eliminated numerous drivers, some of whom were still playing for their place in the playoffs. Blaney, already victorious on the wire in Michigan last week, wins five bonus points which allow him to start the playoffs in second place tied with Martin Truex Jr.

Second success in as many bears for Ryan Blaney © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Involved in the last lap accident, Kyle Larson logically offers the title of regular season champion to Hendrick Motorsports and will therefore start the playoffs in the lead ahead of Ryan Blaney. Austin Dillon tried everything to take the last qualifying place from Tyler Reddick, his Richard Childress Racing teammate, but he failed by around twenty points.

A well-deserved regular season championship title for Kyle Larson © Nascar Media

Before the start, fifteen drivers could still claim this last ticket for the final phases. The tension never left the peloton throughout the event and although the first segment went well, a first accident at the start of the second section eliminated Aric Almirola and Alex Bowman from the race for victory.

Still no victory for Denny Hamlin © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

After an incredible disagreement between 3 Rick Ware Racing drivers leading to their elimination twenty laps from the checkered flag, a chain reaction caused by a slowdown by Martin Truex Jr. will lead to an inevitable Big One and the suspension of the race under the flag. red for 15 minutes.

All that's missing is victory for Bubba Wallace © (Photo James Gilbert/Getty Images

The pack has barely restarted, Chase Elliott will cause new carnage in three laps on a block that is a little too virile. In addition to the Hendrick Motorsports driver, the ranks of Joe Gibbs Racing are decimated since Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch remain on the floor. The race will be restarted under overtime by Chris Buescher who will not be able to do anything in the final loop against Blaney. Bubba Wallace (23Xl Racing) and Ryan Newman (Roush Fenway Racing) completed the podium and signed their best results of the season on this occasion.

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The big celebration of this exciting NASCAR season can start next weekend at Darlington Raceway. At the end of the 367 laps and 500 miles (804,5 km) of the event we will know the first qualifier for the second phase.