It came a day late but the No. 3 found it’s way back to victory lane at Daytona. Austin Dillon wins his way into the 2022 NASCAR Playoffs on the final day.
A walk-off winner, final second heroics, whatever you want to call it, Dillon took advantage of a depleted field to get into this year’s playoffs. With help from Richard Childress Racing teammate Tyler Reddick, Dillon was able to hold off the late charge.
After being delayed from Saturday night, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona went to green first thing Sunday morning. Lots of chaos and crashes took place early on before setting up for the final stint. Rain was in the area and the urgency built up fast. As the intensity grew so did the clouds and teams took notice.
Unfortunately a small pop-up cell landed in turn one just as the field was crossing the start-finish line at speed. With moisture on the track and no grip, the biggest wreck of the day was on. The field flew apart with 21 laps to go. Dillon was the one to assume the lead and that’s when the rain set in at Daytona. The race was red flagged for three hours and 19 minutes before restarting.
When it resumes it was Dillon surrendering the lead early on. With four laps to go, Dillon was able to dispatch of Austin Cindric then hold the advantage for the final laps. Reddick was able to connect with Dillon following the move on Cindric and it allowed Dillon to have the help he needed to get into the playoffs.
With Dillon’s win, Martin Truex Jr. will miss this year’s final 16 by a mere three points. Late in the going, Truex was set back because of a missing right front fender from the crash. It hindered his chances of getting the race win and more importantly a spot in the playoffs.
Ryan Blaney was able to make up enough points and get himself into the playoffs despite and early crash. Blaney had a long day of playing catch up. Six laps down but it didn’t stop the Team Penske driver from reaching the postseason. With cars dropping off the track due to the big crash, Blaney was able to pick up enough spots to eventually tie Truex. When Truex lost the lead draft, Blaney gained points that were lost.
Austin Dillon took the checkered flag and punched a last minute ticket into the playoffs with Blaney in as well. Chaos ensued as expected. Now the series heads to the Labor Day special that is the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. It will mark the opening round of the Nascar Playoffs.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 Results:
1. Austin Dillon
2. Tyler Reddick
3. Austin Cindric
4. Landon Cassill
5. Noah Gragson
6. Cody Ware
7. BJ McLeod
8. Martin Truex Jr
9. David Ragan
10. Kyle Busch
11. Bubba Wallace
12. Joey Logano
13. Ty Gibbs
14. Alex Bowman
15. Ryan Blaney
16. Cole Custer
17. Erik Jones
18. Ty Dillon
19. Harrison Burton
20. Kevin Harvick
21. Aric Almirola
22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
23. Todd Gilliland
24. Daniel Suarez
25. Denny Hamlin
26. Daniel Hemric
27. Chris Buescher
28. Justin Haley
29. Chase Elliott
30. Corey LaJoie
31. Chase Briscoe
32. Michael McDowell
33. Ross Chastain
34. William Byron
35. Brad Keselowski
36. Christopher Bell
37. Kyle Larson
NASCAR Playoff Grid:
1. Chase Elliott
2. Joey Logano
3. Ross Chastain
4. Kyle Larson
5. William Byron
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Tyler Reddick
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Christopher Bell
11. Kyle Busch
12. Daniel Suarez
13. Alex Bowman
14. Austin Cindric
15. Austin Dillon
16. Ryan Blaney
