For the Second Time Ever, Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be the NASCAR Cup Series’ Final Race of the Regular Season to set the Field for the 2021 Championship Playoffs
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 18, 2021) – Capturing another Daytona International Speedway Champion’s trophy in the Aug. 28th Coke Zero Sugar 400 will have extra meaning to four former Champions of the iconic 2.5-mile venue.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will serve as the final race of NASCAR’s regular season, and the “last-chance” event to make the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. This marks the second consecutive year that the Coke Zero Sugar 400 has served as the cut off race for the playoffs. For every driver who enters the race outside of the top 16, winning will be pretty much their only option in order to make the championship battle. It’s “Must Win” time.
There’s a quartet of past Daytona Champion drivers who are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in (with just Michigan this weekend and then the Coke Zero Sugar 400 remaining). To guarantee a spot in the playoffs, they are in a “must-win” situation and will need yet another piece of historic “World Center of Racing” hardware. They include:
Austin Dillon (No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) is the 2018 DAYTONA 500 Champion and 2013 Xfinity Series Champion. In 16 races at DIS, he has one win and three top-five finishes. His most recent victory came a year ago at Texas. He is currently the first driver below the cutline in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, sitting just 28 points behind his teammate, Tyler Reddick, so he still has a chance to make it on points.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet) is the 2017 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Winner, 2020 DAYTONA 500 Busch Pole sitter and back-to back NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion in 2012 and 2013. In addition to his triumph at Daytona’s 2.5-mile trioval, he has a pair of top-five results. His Coke Zero Sugar 400 win was his last. His other career triumph came earlier that year at Talladega Superspeedway. He is currently 20th in the NASCAR Cup Series Standings.
Erik Jones (No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet) is the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Winner and 2021 Busch Clash victory. He adds another top five result, along with three top 10s. He last visited the winners circle in the 2019 Cook Out Southern 500. He ranks 25th in the NASCAR Cup Series Standings.
Ryan Newman (No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford) is the 2008 DAYTONA 500 Winner. Newman’s resume is stellar at DIS with six top-five efforts and 12 top-10s in 39 starts. Phoenix in 2017 was the last time Newman tasted victory. He sits 26th in the NASCAR Cup Series Standings.
Fans can catch this exciting conclusion to the regular season – the Coke Zero Sugar 400 – by purchasing tickets starting at $49 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Fans who purchase tickets to the race can also purchase access to the UNOH Fanzone for $60. Here, fans can participate in events before the race. This includes, but is not limited to, the return of the traditional Coke Zero Sugar 400 Pre-Race Concert featuring Chris Lane, pre-race ceremonies, driver introductions, access to the large grass ballfield, signing the start/finish line through the middle of the 18-degree, banked trioval. Also scheduled is LIVE entertainment on the main UNOH Fanzone Stage, including NASCAR Personalities Fan Q&A. Fans can also get photos with the winning trophies of the weekend in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane.
Tickets to the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola are also available, starting at $35 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under. The Wawa 250 takes place the day before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Friday, Aug. 27, and access to the UNOH Fanzone will be available before this race as well! A Two-Day Pass is available which includes access to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, and the Wawa 250 on Friday. These passes start at $69 for adults.
Tickets for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 and the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway and see the latest speedway news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the “World Center of Racing,” boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
