The Cup Series returns to one of its favorite sites on Saturday. The consequences from the race have rarely been greater.
Daytona International Speedway plays host to the penultimate race of the regular season Cup Series calendar, the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
It might not have the gravitas of its 500-mile sibling. What the Coke Zero Sugar 400 does have, however, is dramatics — the average difference between first- and second-place sits at just 0.154s in the past 21 iterations of the race.
This year’s version of the competition could bring more of the same. There is a gaggle of drivers sitting at or around the cut line, all hoping to cement their spot into the postseason. For Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain or Chris Buescher, a strong showing at the World Center of Racing could be the difference between infamy and immortality.
MORE: Updated points, scenarios for Cup Series championship after Michigan
That’s not to mention the more than a dozen drivers whose only chance to qualify for postseason play resides in capturing a win in their final two races. Austin Dillon, Chase Briscoe, Erik Jones and Michael McDowell are among the drivers who could change the temperature of their entire campaign with a single checkered flag.
Add to the mix a tantalizing battle atop the standings — Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are vying for the No. 1 seed, which brings with it 15 playoff points — and the prospect of the Big One, and it’s easy to see why so many believe Saturday’s race at the 2.5-mile behemoth could be one of this season’s most memorable.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and results from Saturday’s race at Daytona. Follow below for highlights and live race analysis as stock car racing’s best and brightest attempt to make magic atop the World’s Most Famous asphalt.
MORE: Watch the Coke Zero Sugar 400 live with Fubo (free trial)
NASCAR at Daytona live updates, highlights from 2024 race
(All times Eastern)
8:08 p.m.: Team Penske starting to assert itself as Stage 1 reaches its halfway point. Logano and Ryan Blaney continue to sway back-and-forth across the lanes, taking first- and third-place, respectively.
7:58 p.m.: Josh Berry and Joey Logano are caught in an epic battle with McDowell for that P1 position. Keselowski is also on the prowl, searching for a gap to explode through in the mire of dirty air that surrounds him.
7:56 p.m.: Things are pretty tame through four laps. Gilliland and McDowell holding firm atop the field. Looks like Austin Cindric could break into that top-three after receiving a hearty push from Brad Keselowski in the third lane.
7:53 p.m.: And we’re off from Daytona!
7:45 p.m.: Front Row leading from the front row! It’s Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland leading at the top of the pack to start things tonight at Daytona. Both could desperately use a win here. They figure to be in good position to compete tonight, although you never know how a race as precarious as Daytona is going to shake out.
7:30 p.m.: Pre-race festivities are wrapping up. We’re mere minutes away from the start of tonight’s race.
7:00 p.m.: Plenty of intrigue surrounding Trackhouse Racing at the moment. Ross Chastain has the final postseason spot as of now, while Daniel Suarez has already clinched his spot in the postseason. They’re adding another talent to their collection in 2025, too; Shane van Gisbergen will run full-time for Trackhouse in 2025 after a glittering showcase in the Xfinity Series this season.
6:45 p.m.: For a moment, it seemed as if bad weather could rear its ugly head once more for tonight’s race. However, 45 minutes before the race’s start, it seems that we are in the clear. At least for now.
Weather looking good for tonight here in Daytona. pic.twitter.com/C1LHFyTdvQ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 24, 2024
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN (Canada)
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
- Radio: MRN
Saturday’s race will be broadcast on NBC in the United States. Canadian viewers can find the action on TSN.
Veteran announcer Leigh Diffey will lead the race’s lap-by-lap commentator, supplanting longtime announcer Rick Allen, who is moving down to the Xfinity Series. He’ll be joined by former Cup Series stars Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as former Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.
Cord-cutters can follow the action on Peacock, as well as with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
NASCAR start time today
- Date: Saturday, August 24
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 has a listed start time of 7:30 p.m. ET., but pre-race festivities are expected to push the waving of the green flag closer to 7:45 p.m. ET.
NASCAR at Daytona starting lineup 2024
Leading the field for Saturday night’s race are Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland. Below is the rest of the starting lineup for Saturday night’s race:
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 2 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 3 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 4 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 5 | Josh Berry | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 6 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 7 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 9 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 10 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 11 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 12 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 13 | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 14 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 15 | Noah Gragson | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 16 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 17 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 18 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 19 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 20 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 21 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 22 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 23 | Austin Hill | 33 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 24 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 25 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 26 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 27 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 28 | Daniel Hemric | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 29 | Parker Retzlaff | 62 | Beard Motorsports |
| 30 | Zane Smith | 71 | Spire Motorsports |
| 31 | John H. Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 32 | Shane Van Gisbergen | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 33 | Cody Ware | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 34 | Corey Lajoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 35 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 36 | Justin Haley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 37 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 38 | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 39 | Joey Gase | 44 | NY Racing Team |
| 40 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
