Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Connor Zilisch (via Parker Kligerman) (Xfinity); plus Max Reaves (ARCA)
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| Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics |
NASCAR Cup
Blaney Wins Four-Wide Dash to Finish
Not that a rescue mission was top of mind for Ryan Blaney, but his dramatic victory in Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway saved Alex Bowman from playoff oblivion.
Blaney rocketed forward from 12th in the running order with three laps left in the final NASCAR Cup Series regular-season race and crossed the finish line 0.031 seconds ahead of runner-up Daniel Suárez.
Blaney’s second win of the season, his second at Daytona and 15th of his career, vaulted the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford into second place in the regular-season standings, earning him a bonus of 10 playoff points.
“What a wild last couple laps, honestly,” Blaney said. “I was with Cole, I kind of asked him on the restart, if you go to the top I’m going with you. We kind of just waited and waited and then the opportunity came, and he made a good move to get to the top, and we were able to really get good shoves.
“A couple good guys behind us, and then it kind of cleared the way for us when the 7 (Haley) and 41 (Custer) got racing, and I was able to clear on the top and just barely hold out for the win.”
Daniel Suarez finished second; Justin Haley placed third; Cole Custer came in fourth and Erik Jones completed the top five.
We could watch this on repeat. 🔁 pic.twitter.com/3HV86OA9n1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 24, 2025
Pole: Ryan Blaney
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NASCAR Xfinity
Relief Driver Parker Kligerman Scores Daytona Xfinity Win for Zilisch,
The record book will list Connor Zilisch as the winner of the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.
But it was part-timer Parker Kligerman who did the heavy lifting in Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to victory in relief of the 19-year-old prodigy.
With Zilisch determined to protect the collarbone he broke in a fall in Victory Lane two weeks ago at Watkins Glen, Kligerman got behind the wheel in a driver switch under caution on Lap 13.
From that point through an overtime that took the race to Lap 104, Kligerman drove a masterful race. His victory was welcome consolation for a heart-wrenching loss at Daytona in February, when Kligerman was first to the finish line in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event but suffered a disqualification for a ride-height infraction.
“It’s different in every way, because I didn’t expect to get a call from (team owner) Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. on the day I was leaving for vacation, saying ‘Hey, man, would you come drive this thing?'” Kligerman said. “I hate the circumstances for Connor. He’s an amazing generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call to grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in. … For me, it’s such a ‘me’ thing that this will not be on Racing Reference at all.”
“It’s weird,” Zilisch said. “It was really weird the last time I did it, and I never thought I’d have to do it again. … But I love Parker. I’ve been a fan of Parker for a long time. He’s another one I’m OK watching win inside my race car. I’m glad that I got to start the race and get the points for my team.”
Sammy Smith finished second; Justin Allgaier placed third; Jesse Love came in fourth and Sam Mayer completed the top five.
Over 750+ texts. Many calls and a very late night. Thank you all for the wonderful messages ❤️
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) August 23, 2025
FINALLY!!
Just too cool of a night. Can’t thank @DaleJr @JRMotorsports enough for the belief to get this done.
And @ConnorZilisch who is so wise beyond his years. Had so much fun… https://t.co/wE2OihD6r4
Pole: Connor Zilisch
Click Here for Race Results
Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Pacific Office Automation 147’ at Portland International Raceway.
NASCAR Trucks
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Were Off Last Weekend
Ten drivers make the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs to compete for the championship title. This number has been the standard since the 2020 season, which expanded the playoff field from the previous eight drivers.
The stage has been reset. 👀 pic.twitter.com/vn0JNE4MOo
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) August 16, 2025
Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for the ‘Sober or Slammer 200’ at Darlington Raceway.
ARCA
Max Reaves Adds His Name to the History Books with a Victory at Flat Rock Speedway
Max Reaves etched his name into the history books Saturday night at Michigan’s Flat Rock Speedway.
Reaves, just 15, secured his third ARCA Menards Series East win in as many starts when he took the checkered flag in the Dutch Boy 150. He joins Will Rodgers as the only two drivers to win their first three East Series starts.
Reaves had his work cut out for him Saturday night at Flat Rock’s tight quarter-mile oval. Starting from the General Tire Pole, he jumped to the lead early but was constantly hounded by Tyler Reif.
That wasn’t the end of the battle between the two. Reaves and Reif spent the rest of the race almost nose-to-tail, with Reif occasionally beating on Reaves’ back bumper to remind his rival he was there.
“Every time I felt him, I’d get on the brake a little bit and keep it on the bottom, because the second he got me off the bottom, he was getting around and driving away,” said Reaves, who piloted the No. 18 Cook Out Toyota to Victory Lane for Joe Gibbs Racing. “The second he bumped me he got around me on the bottom, but I gave it back. It was good racing.”
“I’m going to be the first one to win four,” Reaves added. “I’m confident with that and confident in my team.”
Lavar Scott finished second; Brenden Queen placed third; Isabella Robusto came in fourth and Julian DaCosta completed the top five.
Highlights from Friday night's ARCA Menards race at @MISRacing! pic.twitter.com/xgHUmrsOke
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) August 23, 2025
Pole: Max Reaves
Click Here for Race Results
Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm PT for the ‘Portland 112’ at Portland International Raceway .
