<\/figure>\nIt’s always the last few laps, and the inevitable crashes at Daytona International Speedway, that help determine who gets the checkered flag.<\/p>\n
But you have to race all 160 laps of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (that’s miles) to get there. Sometimes you have race beyond that prescribed distance.<\/p>\n
In 2021 the last few laps were actually eclipsed by overtime laps, and in overtime’s final lap Ryan Blaney emerged, winning as cars crashing behind him brought the race to an end.<\/p>\n
The summer race at Daytona, long a Fourth of July tradition, is now a late-August thriller. It ends NASCAR’s regular season and in 2022 there are two racers \u2014 Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. \u2014 on the playoff bubble, sitting 15th and 16th in points, knowing only the top 16 drivers make the 10-race playoffs with a chance at the 2022 Cup Series championship.<\/p>\n\n
If a 2022 non-winner, other than Blaney or Truex, wins Saturday night and gains automatic entry into the playoffs, Blaney and Truex will settle that final playoff spot by the updated points standings. Blaney enters Saturday with a 25-point edge over Truex.<\/p>\n
NBC coverage of Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 starts at 7 pm, with the green flag \u2014 weather permitting \u2014 scheduled for 7:45. Check listings because some local affiliates have diverted coverage to other channels in lieu of NFL coverage. Heading into Saturday afternoon, the forecast looks threatening, with showers and thunderstorms taking turns throughout the later afternoon and into evening. <\/p>\n\n
NASCAR officials, race teams, and fans are hoping it’s one of those times when an approaching front fizzles or is redirected.<\/p>\n
Follow along as The Daytona Beach News-Journal racing writers update:<\/p>\n
WANNA BET?:<\/strong>Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona: NASCAR betting odds show some enticing underdogs<\/p>\nSIGN OF RESPECT:<\/strong>Still on the job at age 102, Daytona Speedway’s Juanita ‘Lightnin’ Epton, gets a break from work for honor<\/p>\nKYLE LARSON:<\/strong>After dumping Chase Elliott, a return to Daytona, and yes there’s a history<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n 7:20 pm: A big fat ‘never mind’ from Daytona and the Coke Zero Sugar 400<\/h2>\n Disregard that 6:45 update. It’s raining again.<\/p>\n
Nothing hard, just a drizzle. In fact, while many of the hundreds of fans mingling in the FanZone have ducked under cover, many are still wandering about without getting overly soaked. <\/p>\n
Doesn’t matter. NASCAR and Daytona need zero rain, and zero rain for long enough to dry the track, and another few hours to run a 400-mile race here. <\/p>\n\n
Hate to say it, but if they can’t find a window tonight, Sunday isn’t exactly looking like a winner either.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something less gloomy to read, did you see what Jeff Burton said about his memories of superspeedway racing?<\/p>\n
Or how about a recap of underdog Jeremy Clements’ crazy win in Friday night’s Wawa 25?<\/p>\n
6:45 pm: Jet dryers are cranked to life at Daytona | Yeeee-ha!<\/h2>\n The first chirping birds of spring. That first hint of cool air in autumn. <\/p>\n
We all have our favorite hints of better things to come. For race fans on a rainy day, it’s the loud whine of the jet dryer.<\/p>\n <\/figure>\nNASCAR’s armada of dryers have fired up and slowly working around the track surface, which signals the weather has improved enough to take a shot at soaking all the moisture begun from the asphalt.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there are still various shades of green on the surrounding radar and the hourly forecast suggests the current rain stoppage might be short-lived.<\/p>\n
As always, we’ll see.<\/p>\n