Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch: Daytona

Daytona International Speedway is ready to host 2 night races. Back-to-back weekends will see two night races for NASCAR, this time with the Xfinity Series running on Friday night. Superspeedway racing will take center stage as both series will see drivers fight for a playoff spot. While it is only the regular season finale for the Cup Series, there are plenty of Xfinity Series drivers who will view Daytona as their last chance to get into the playoffs. Meanwhile, that is the layout for the Cup Series. 22 drivers still have not punched their ticket to the playoffs. Only 2 can point their way in. Desperation will be the name of the game on Saturday night. Maybe one of the Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch will find their way into Daytona victory lane.

Superspeedway racing at the two traditional tracks are very different between the two series running. The Xfinity Series offers the best of what pack racing should be in this era. Drivers have control and can make moves. There is no worry about fuel saving or stepping out of line; the car allows for runs and passing. Meanwhile, the Cup Series race will resemble “high speed pace laps” for the bulk of the running. Most of the action will arrive via fuel saving, as a third lane will develop to give the illusion of action. When it is time to go, everyone will be stuck. It is a shame that the Xfinity Series does not main event the weekend.

Coke Zero Sugar 400

Cody Ware

Ask yourself this: if Cody Ware wins the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night, will the playoff conversation completely turn sour? While the Austin Dillon Richmond win reignited conversations about the playoff format, a Cody Ware win would set the dialogue ablaze. Entering this weekend, Ware sits last in points. He trails the next driver up the leaderboard by 125 points. Meanwhile, he leads Katherine Legge by 111 points. Legge has only made 6 starts with an average finish of 27.5. Despite that, a Daytona win is all that separates Ware from the playoffs. Embrace the chaos.

It would be easy to scoff at the possibility of a Cody Ware win. However, Daytona has been a strong track for both Ware and the race team. Ware’s best career finish occurred last year in this very race. Bringing home the 15 car in 4th, a right push in the final overtime could have seen Ware slingshot to the lead. All it takes is one good push at the right time. Ware usually survives the carnage at the superspeedways, so the odds of him being there at the end are high. If the Coke Zero Sugar 400 turns into a demolition derby, Ware could emerge from the other side in victory lane. It might be the worst timeline, but it would be a fitting end to this season’s regular season.

Tyler Reddick

Tyler Reddick will be at the center of much dialogue if there is a new winner this weekend. Either he will be the lone driver in on points or the first one eliminated. This puts the brightest spotlight on him during the race as well. If he can manage to survive until the end, then he should be able to remain ahead of Alex Bowman. However, stage points will be critical for this battle. Reddick truly is the only driver who has to quarrel with that decision. Scoring 10+ stage points could essentially lock himself into the playoffs. However, mixing it up near the front could put him in danger of wrecking out early. No other driver faces that same do or die decision when it comes to Stage 1 and 2. That alone is a great reason to watch Reddick.

As for the postrace discussion, Tyler Reddick’s 2025 season certainly follows the path of Martin Truex Jr late in his career. At times, the 45 has been one of the fastest cars on track. However, the results have not followed and the speed has been largely absent as of late. At this point, Bubba Wallace is the better shout for making a deep playoff run over Reddick. After winning the regular season championship and advancing to the Championship Four, Reddick has been a shell of last year. It is concerning to see Reddick in this predicament anyway. He should have a large enough points buffer against Bowman to prevent this from being an issue. Instead, Reddick and the 45 will be sweating bullets all race long.

Casey Mears

A potential winner this weekend that all the fans would get behind. No playoff implications; simply an underdog driver and team going out to win at a historic track. Is it likely that it will happen? Absolutely not. However, the fans can dream. Of course, this could apply to any of the 4 (additional) open teams who are entering the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Yet, the best story from the bunch would be Casey Mears.

Making his second start of the 2025 season, Mears will once again pilot the Garage 66 entry. This time, he will be racing on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. While it would be easy to write off the 66 team as a back marker with no chance, the team is stepping up their game to bring a more competitive ride. They are leasing an engine from the Roush/Yates shop while also bringing a Cup Series level crew. These adjustments should help keep Mears running with the lead back. Especially considering the potential carnage of the this race, it would not be a bad shout to think Mears and the 66 team could find their way into a Top-10 by night’s end.

Wawa 250

Austin Hill

What does Austin Hill have to race for other than pride at this point? With his suspension after “correcting his car” into Aric Almirola, all of Hill’s current (and future) playoff points are gone. It does not matter where Hill finishes in the regular season standings since he does not benefit from the playoff point payout. The only thing for Hill to do is win races to build confidence and momentum. What better place to start that journey than Daytona.

Without a doubt, the best superspeedway racer in the Xfinity Series is Austin Hill. For those who argue that superspeedway racing requires no skill, Hill debunks those thoughts. At least in the Xfinity Series. While Hill’s style is aggressive, few do a better job of controlling a race from the lead. Hill is able to make his 21 car 3-4 lanes wide without wrecking the field. Gutsy moves are made in an instance and it has led to numerous pack racing wins. Austin Hill should be the favorite heading into Friday night. However, it is boom or bust for Hill at Daytona. Outside of his 3 wins, his best finish at the track is 14th.

Jeb Burton

Despite his reputation as a strong superspeedway driver, Daytona has not been kind to Jeb Burton. In 12 starts, Burton has only wrangled together 3 Top-10s. His last Top-10 at the track was back in 2021 when Ward’s son was driving for Kaulig Racing. Since his departure from that organization, Burton has averaged a 17.4 finish with a best result of 11th. Compared to his exploits in Dega, Daytona would not give him any special recognition for his drafting skills.

Still, Jeb Burton is one to watch this weekend. His pack racing ability is well served at Daytona, even if the results have yet to make hay on them. Moreso, this is Burton’s last great shot at solidifying a playoff spot. Burton has made the most of his 2025 season with Jordan Anderson Racing. However, the next two spots on the calendar do not favor Burton for strong runs. Daytona is his best chance to either win or gain ground on the cutline. Expect Burton to be aggressive early in the race to score as many stage points as possible. If he can keep his car clean, then Burton will have a shot to punch his ticket to the playoffs.

Sheldon Creed

Since moving to Haas Factory Team, the constant pain of second place finishes has not been as frequent for Sheldon Creed. So far this year, Creed only has one second place finish. Outside of that one, there have been few races where Creed has felt like a race winning threat. To be fair, his Haas teammate Sam Mayer has not exactly lit up the scoreboard with wins. The rebranded organization did not pick up their first win until Iowa three weeks ago. However, Mayer has definitely been the standout compared to Creed. Creed needs to respond to keep his name above water in terms of future aspirations.

Daytona International Speedway might be the perfect place for Sheldon Creed this week. Entering Friday night, Creed has 4 straight Top-8 finishes with 3 podiums results. Creed knows his way around the World Center of Racing. In the Truck Series, he has been able to find victory lane there as well. Now, he has to accomplish that goal in the Xfinity Series. Could this weekend be the time to snap that second place streak? Maybe; that is why Creed is one to watch.

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