Austin Dillon showcased his strength in the 2024 season by securing a significant victory at Richmond Raceway, dispelling any doubts about luck playing a role in his success. Driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Dillon has energized his campaign as the 14th different winner this year, setting the stage for the upcoming Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, where he has previously tasted victory.
With the next race scheduled for Saturday at Daytona, Dillon’s recent performance provides a compelling narrative surrounding his potential for an Austin Dillon Daytona victory potential repeat, as he returns to a track historically favorable to him.
Current Standings and Contender Insights Before Daytona
Following the Cook Out 400 at Richmond, NASCAR.com analyst Zach Sturniolo released rankings of the top 20 Cup Series contenders, offering perspective on each driver’s status heading into Daytona. William Byron has already secured the 2025 Regular Season Championship, a notable accomplishment that adds 15 playoff points to his record. Although his 12th-place finish at Richmond was unremarkable, his recent wins at Daytona – including the last two Daytona 500 events and the 2020 summer race – keep him firmly as a strong contender this weekend.
Ryan Blaney of Team Penske also enters Daytona on a surge, having finished third at Richmond and maintaining five consecutive top-10 finishes. His previous victory at the 2021 regular-season finale at Daytona hints at the possibility of another win in his near future.
Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion, encounters challenges after two difficult weeks, including a last-place finish at Richmond due to a multi-car incident. Despite this, Elliott remains a compelling figure at Daytona, having yet to win there but posting two runner-up finishes and a fourth-place result in the 2023 regular-season finale.
Analyzing Top Drivers’ Performances and Prospects at Daytona
Denny Hamlin holds three Daytona victories, all coming from the prestigious Daytona 500, yet he has struggled with the summer race, never finishing better than 17th since the Next Gen car’s introduction in 2022. Nevertheless, he is just five points behind Elliott in the regular-season standings, keeping his playoff hopes alive.
Kyle Larson, recovering from a recent slump, recorded a steady sixth-place finish at Richmond. While he has competed in 22 Daytona races without cracking the top five, Larson and his crew chief Cliff Daniels have repeatedly demonstrated resilience and potential for breakthroughs.
Christopher Bell’s season remains inconsistent, adding a 21st-place finish at Richmond to recent middling results. However, his three third-place finishes in the last five Daytona races offer reason for optimism.
Tyler Briscoe, now driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, posted a solid 13th at Richmond and began his tenure with a pole position and strong fourth at the Daytona 500, indicating promising potential at the Florida superspeedway.
Alex Bowman received a boost after a runner-up finish at Richmond, pushing him 60 points above the provisional playoff elimination line. Bowman, a three-time Daytona 500 polesitter, seeks his first Daytona victory, having secured four finishes of sixth or better across his last five starts.
Tyler Reddick was dominant early at Richmond, leading for 41 laps, but a late-stage incident caused him to finish 34th, narrowing his points cushion. Despite that, his two runner-up finishes at Daytona, including this year’s Daytona 500, establish him as a credible threat for the Coke Zero 400.
Additional Competitor Highlights Heading Into Daytona
Kurt Busch, struggling through the longest winless streak of his career at 82 races, is also poised for redemption. Having been runner-up in last year’s Daytona summer race, a victory here could propel him back into the championship conversation in a meaningful way.
Wallace, another 23XI Racing driver, suffered mechanical issues at Richmond, ending a four-race streak of top 10s. However, with three second-place finishes overall at Daytona and two top 10s in his last three starts there, Wallace maintains a strong record on the high-speed superspeedway.
Joey Logano’s season has been a roller coaster, but a fourth-place finish at Richmond aligns with a possible late-season surge as the regular season concludes. His consistent performances at Daytona raise questions about whether he might claim another victory at the track known for igniting championship runs.
Ross Chastain, already locked into the playoffs, is coming off a 19th-place finish at Richmond and will aim to improve his Daytona results, which have been underwhelming early in the 2024 season.
Rising Stars and Season Storylines to Watch
Ryan Buescher entered Richmond in solid playoff position but was pushed 60 points outside it following a disappointing 30th-place finish. His prior success at Daytona under pressure suggests he will be motivated to secure a crucial result this weekend.
Shane van Gisbergen tied his best oval finish recently, and with his first Cup Series Playoffs appearance coming up, sustaining strong oval performances at tracks like Richmond and Gateway could enable an unexpected deep run.
Chase Preece faced setbacks despite earning the Richmond pole, dropping to 35th due to brake failure. Returning to Daytona, where he crashed earlier this season, Preece aims to improve on previous top-10 finishes despite a challenging start to this season’s superspeedway races.
Austin Cindric’s strong Richmond performance, marked by finishing fifth and an average position of 7.86, signals potential momentum. Having won the 2022 Daytona 500 and placed eighth in this year’s race, Cindric’s continued prowess on superspeedways makes him a driver to watch.
Austin Dillon’s Richmond Performance as a Statement Run
Dillon’s commanding display at Richmond was described as possibly the finest of his Cup Series career. Leading a career-high 107 laps and capturing his sixth win, he now heads to Daytona with fresh confidence. Having previously claimed the 2018 Daytona 500 and the 2022 summer race there in the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet, his performance signals clear intent for a potential repeat victory at the Floridian track.
Other Noteworthy Drivers and Their Daytona Prospects
Harrison Burton, the winner of last year’s Daytona summer race and currently driving the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, has hope riding on his reunited association with teammate John Hunter Nemechek’s former car. Burton’s previous strength on Daytona’s high banks could prove significant this weekend.
J.J. Yeley’s teammate and proven veterans like AJ Allmendinger, with mixed Daytona results following the Next Gen car’s arrival, add layers of complexity as drivers race to secure playoff positioning or improve final regular-season outcomes.
Implications of the Upcoming Race at Daytona
With only one regular-season race remaining, several drivers are on the cusp of locking in playoff spots or staying alive in the postseason hunt. The emergence of 14 different winners this season signals fierce competition, and any new victor at Daytona could displace those near the playoff cut line.
Dillon’s Richmond win injects urgency and excitement into his campaign, and given his historical success at Daytona, he stands as a prime candidate for another win. The race will also test contenders like Byron, Blaney, Elliott, and Hamlin, each carrying distinct narratives and pressures as the postseason approaches.
Ultimately, Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 will not only shape driver momentum but also reassess playoff dynamics, challenging seasoned veterans and rising talents alike to deliver under pressure on the storied superspeedway.