NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans Reply To Harrison Burton Shocking Kyle Busch, Claiming Coke Zero Sugar 400 At Daytona International Speedway

By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published25 Aug 2024

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daytona suarez car fire (1)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Harrison Burton paced the crowded field one lap during Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugary 400, the final one, leading to his first career victory and Wood Brothers Racing’s 100th circuit title. 

Kyle Busch, who remains winless during a Cup campaign for the first time since 2004, earned a runner-up finish at Daytona International Speedway, but the two-time series champion remains out of the playoff chase with one regular-season event remaining. 

Busch attempted a few final last-lap moves to make a pass, but Burton blocked the overtime attempts.  

Burton entered Saturday 34th in the points standings, 548 behind leader Tyler Reddick. During his previous 24 starts, Burton secured one top-10 finish and four DNFs.  

X (Twitter) users responded to new NBC Sports play-by-play broadcaster Leigh Diffey creating the call on Jeff Burton’s son clinching a “Hail Mary” trip to the postseason … 

The dramatic ending capped an evening that started with a scenic sunset in Daytona Beach, Fla. …  

After being released from his contract by Trackhouse Racing, rookie Zane Smith released a statement … 

Trackhouse hired Shane van Gisbergen to pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet next season. The 88 team has been idle since 2020 … 

The green flag waved at the beach … 

Diffey made his NBC Sports debut with mixed reviews on social media … 

Helping to fill out the 40-machine field, lower-ranked drivers like Joey Gase received a chance to dance at Daytona. At least one fan liked what she saw when the No. 44 Chevrolet turned a lap. Gase placed P20 … 

Following a pit stop on Lap 39, Daniel Suarez’s No. 99 Chevrolet burst into flames, possibly from a backfire through the pipes from Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota as both struggled to escape their stalls … 

Talk about coming in hot! … 

Just a bit overdone as the song “Fireball” blares through the track sound system … 

Remembering this moment from the summer event at Daytona 23 years ago … 

Daytona’s 2.5-mile, high-banked track is known for causing big wrecks. Saturday night was no different as a Lap 60 accident involved several contenders, including Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Noah Gragson, Corey Lajoie, Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece and Daniel Hemric … 

Involved in the big wreck and out of the race, Chase Elliott rehashed the accident … 

Diffey described the Lap 78 save by Austin Cindric, whose machine made contact with Kyle Larson. Cindric, who recovered and claimed the lead off a restart on Lap 145, fell back to P23. “That went sideways fast,” Diffey said. Did his debut broadcast? … 

Diffey said a “plume of smoke” engulfed van Gisbergen, whose night ended on Lap 82 when his engine blew, causing a fire along pit road … 

Driving out of line, Justin Haley executed a move for the lead, passing pole-sitter Michael McDowell … 

As a three-wide draft formed throughout the field, John Hunter Nemechek spun out attempting to take the lead along the bottom lane, but made contact with Haley … 

With seven laps remaining, McDowell was bumped by Cindric and got some air as his machine nearly flipped over. The late incident collected some big names, including Bubba Wallace, Stage 1 winner Joey Logano, Haley, Larson, 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and William Byron … 

Racing side-by-side with Cindric for the lead with two laps remaining, Josh Berry flipped over and crashed into a wall during an upside-down ride, bringing out a red flag … 

Nothing like a victory hug from dad …