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Ryan Preece Wins Daytona in Overtime to Claim Final NASCAR Chase Spot

A late Carson Hocevar crash forced overtime that eliminated Shane van Gisbergen from the 16‑driver postseason field.

May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Roush Fenway Keselowski driver Ryan Preece (60) is introduced before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Bubba Wallace watches the screen before the start of his NASCAR qualifying run for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 28, 2026.
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Overview

  • Ryan Preece earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series points-paying victory on Saturday night at Daytona and secured the 16th and final Chase berth with the win.
  • With five laps remaining, Carson Hocevar lost control and slammed the outside wall, bringing out a caution that sent the Coke Zero Sugar 400 into overtime and reshaped the finish.
  • Preece took the lead on the overtime restart and was declared the winner under caution when a last-lap multi-car pileup unfolded behind him; he beat Daniel Suárez by 0.024 seconds.
  • Pre-race and race disruptions affected strategies: Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 failed inspection twice and lost pit selection while car chief Jonathan Ellis was ejected, and 23XI Racing replaced Riley Herbst with Harrison Burton because of lingering effects from a prior crash.
  • The race went 166 laps with 41 lead changes and four cautions, the full Chase field is now set and points are reset for the 10-race postseason that opens at Darlington next weekend.