Friday and Saturday night saw NASCAR’s Xfinity and Cup Series teams race under the lights in Daytona. An annual tradition, the second Daytona race is run under the lights.
From a substitute driver winning for the first time (and it not technically counting), too several stout performances by some under the radar drivers in Cup, these are the Daytona Best of the Rest.
Xfinity | Wawa 250
Race Winner: Parker Kligerman (Connor Zilisch)*
#88 Parker Kligerman (&Connor Zilisch)*: This will get a bit complicated but definitely deserves notice. Veteran Xfinity racer and broadcaster Parker Kligerman got the call to sub for JR Motorsports regular driver, rookie Connor Zilisch. Still mending his injuries from the Watkins Glen victory lane slip, Zilisch stepped out of the car and handed the reigns to Kligerman following a lap 12 caution for rain.
Kligerman in turn, worked his way back methodically to the front of the field, and scored what could be considered an upset win in the JR Motorsports’ Chevrolet. Kligerman led the final 10 laps en route to his first career Xfinity win, albeit unofficial. Unfortunately, Zilisch will officially get credit for the win due to starting the race.
Kligerman is a veteran of all three of NASCAR’s top series, with 122 official Xfinity starts to his credit.
Photo Credit: Frontstretch.com and Nigel Kinrade Photography
#14 Garrett Smithley: Smithley, an on again-off again starter in the Xfinity Series jumped into SS-Green Light Racing’s Chevrolet for Daytona. Rolling off 36th, Smithley survived the typical chaos of Daytona, and brought his car home in 8th, even leading a lap.
Smithley, who has 198 Xfinity career starts, had a career run in Daytona. Not only was it SS-Green Light’s #14 entry’s best finish since a 15th in Martinsville (also by Smithley). For the driver himself, it was his best run since a fifth place effort at Daytona in 2018.
#71 Ryan Ellis: While the finishes have not come easy for Ellis in his first year driving for DGM Racing, Daytona provided a huge late summer boost for the #71 team. Starting 31st, Ellis came on strong late in the going to officially finish 11th by race’s end.
Ellis and his DGM Racing crew have soldiered on through this season, with a roller coaster of results. However, Daytona is his best run since a career-high 8th place finish in Charlotte.
Cup | Coke Zero Sugar 400
Race Winner Ryan Blaney
#43 Erik Jones: Having been one of several drivers to surprise during the race, Erik Jones and his #43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota almost pulled off a true dark horse win in Daytona. Racing towards the front in Stage Three, Jones would ultimately finish 5th after contact in the final laps pushed him back. Jones also led ten laps total.
Daytona was Jones’ best result since another 5th-place effort in Atlanta.
#41 Cole Custer: Haas Factory Team’s Custer also had a strong late race run in Daytona, with it being his strongest run of the season. While Custer started his Ford in 29th, he would make a late race charge, and after leading seven laps late, Custer recovered from being shuffled back to finish 4th.
Daytona provided Custer with not only his third career top five finish, but also his best run this season since finish 8th in Mexico City.
Photo Credit: Jayski and Haas Factory Team
#51 Cody Ware: While Ware’s somewhat viral fortune cookie message in the days before the race did not quite work out, Daytona showed what Ware and his #51 Ford can do in the right circumstances. Starting the race in 35th, the Rick Ware Racing entry showed speed and Ware found his way to the front. Staying up front and leading a career-high 23 laps, Ware ran with the leaders much of the event before fading to 20th late.
Daytona was by far Ware’s best run of his Cup Series career, with his previous best this season being a 13th-place effort in Atlanta.