From drivers on ‘baby watch’ to the suspension of A.J. Allmendinger for failing his random substance abuse test, here is what else was surprising and not surprising from the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona.
This weekend we headed back to Florida for the second race that is held at Daytona International Speedway. The July race is known for hot temperatures, patriotism, celebrating our freedom and fireworks.
While some drivers dream of winning the Indianapolis 500, James Hinchcliffe has been dreaming of winning the Honda Indy Toronto. After all, the Oakville, Ontario native grew up 40 minutes from Toronto. It was going to the race in Toronto as a kid that got Hinchcliffe interested in racing.
For the first time in 30 years it looked like Daytona was going to be swept. Matt Kenseth came within half a lap of winning the 2012 Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 before Tony Stewart passed him on the backstretch.
Tony Stewart overcame a qualifying penalty which sent him back to the 42nd starting position and won the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night.
Just shy of two before the green flag fell on the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, NASCAR sensor vice president of racing Steve O’Donnell announced that Allmendinger has been temporarily suspended for because of a failed drug test.
Saturday evening, Steve O' Donnell, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations for NASCAR, announced they suspended Penske Racing driver A.J. Allmendinger as a result failing a random drug test.
Austin Dillon’s weekend at the Daytona International Speedway started with him defending his Kentucky win after his car failed post race inspection. It ended with him again having to defend his team after another failed inspection.
Brandon Jones rallied from deep in the field yet again to lead Toyota with a fourth-place finish in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Martinsville Saturday evening.
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Menards/Delta Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I think this is a track where you definitely need a good qualifying run because of pit selection."
The three-time Daytona 500 champion from Chesterfield, Virginia, notched a pole-winning lap at 98.492 mph in 19.226 seconds for his sixth Cup pole of 2026, sixth at Martinsville and the 54th of his career.
RFK Racing drivers Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece stopped by the infield media center this morning at Martinsville Speedway to answer questions from the media. Here is a transcript of that session.
