The Cup Series calendar readies for its reset on Aug. 31, but there are still a few playoff places to be contested. What better place to do so at than the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway?
Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond proved that lightning can strike even the most unassuming of Cup Series drivers. No venue is better equipped at fostering shocking results than Daytona. Not only is the colosseum an icon in the racing world. It’s also a time bomb, known to turn glistening chariots to scrap metal in the blink of an eye.
Last year, The Big One(s) wreaked havoc amongst the field, who more than 30 cars caught in wrecks. The precarious nature of the night served as a platform for Harrison Burton, who raced past Kyle Busch in the final lap to secure a shock win for Wood Brothers Racing and secure an all-important postseason berth.
Could a similar result take shape at the fabled course this time around? It’s anyone’s guess. Regardless, the eyes of the racing world will be fixed to the 2.5-mile superspeedway come Saturday night.
Who will sit on the pole when that race starts? Here’s what you need to know about the pole-sitter and starting lineup for the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.
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Who won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 pole for 2025?
Qualifying was canceled as rain swept across Daytona International Speedway on Friday night. Grid positions were determined by NASCAR’s metric formula, an equation which includes owner points position, finishing position from last weekend’s race and fastest lap rank from last weekend’s race.
Team Penske star Ryan Blaney was the big winner, taking the top spot for Saturday night’s race. He’ll be joined in the front row by Alex Bowman, who sits 60 points above the cut line and would clinch a postseason berth if he or one of ht e15 drivers above him wins at Daytona.
“A good pit stall selection is good,” Bowman said, per NASCAR.com. “Speedway racing has become entirely more difficult to pass at, I feel like. So starting up front is definitely a good thing.”
Coke Zero Sugar 400 starting lineup 2025
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 2. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 3. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 4. | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 5. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 6. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 7. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 8. | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 9. | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 10. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 11. | Josh Berry | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 12. | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 13. | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 14. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 15. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 16. | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorpsorts |
| 17. | Shane van Gisbergen | 88 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 18. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 19. | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 20. | Michael McDowell | 71 | Spire Motorsports |
| 21. | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 22. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 23. | Ty Dillon | 10 | Kaulig Racing |
| 24. | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 25. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | HYAK Motorsports |
| 26. | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 27. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 28. | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 29. | Cole Custer | 41 | Haas Factory Team |
| 30. | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 31. | Ryan Preece | 61 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 32. | Noah Gragson | 4 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 33. | Riley Herbst | 35 | 23XI Racing |
| 34. | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 35. | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 36. | Austin Hill | 33 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 37. | Justin Haley | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 38. | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fact Motorsports |
| 39. | Casey Mears | 66 | Garage 66 |
| 40. | Joey Gase | 44 | NY Racing Team |
