Austin Dillon’s aggressiveness paid off huge time at the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

First, he drove via smoke clouds to stay clear of a significant wreck that would have price tag him the race. Then, with about 3 laps to go, he created a slick go to get close to Austin Cindric to end in first area at Daytona Global Speedway.

Dillon was in first position when he averted the crash and the rain arrived to suspend the function for a handful of hrs. He then experienced to fight to keep in the major 5 and battle Cindric for the best spot.

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Austin Dillon slides backward by way of pit highway just after a multi-auto crash in the course of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Intercontinental Speedway in Daytona Beach front, Florida, on Aug. 28, 2022. (WHD Photograph/Terry Renna)

"There was a large amount likely on there. I knew if I obtained to the white (and) if I waited much too extended, I was frightened anyone was going to wreck driving us. I needed to go forward and get the direct. We ended up ready to get it. I had a huge run, also, and then I had my teammate (Tyler Reddick) back there. I understood we have been in really very good shape there at the conclude," Dillon claimed soon after the race.

Dillon hadn’t received a race all time lengthy and experienced several top 10s all through the common season. He completed in second put at Talladega previously in the 12 months. He hadn’t concluded in the best 10 due to the fact the Poconos.

"It’s mad. You just under no circumstances give up and have faith. We had some tough finishes this calendar year, like Charlotte. I beat myself up more than that. I built a superior shift, just did not finish it off. Right now, we concluded it off, and I’m just so very pleased of these fellas, and I’m happy to be going to Victory Lane," he reported.

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Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Breztri Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout soon after successful the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Global Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Aug. 28, 2022. (James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)

Whilst Dillon got a single of the two places, it came down to Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Blaney to protected the remaining playoff location. However, Truex couldn’t maintain up with the leaders to safe a location. And even while Blaney fell 6 laps behind the leaders, he will be in the NASCAR playoffs.

The margin amongst Truex and Blaney was three details. The next place opened up immediately after Kurt Busch dropped out of the playoffs.

"We're pretty fortuitous, that is for positive. ... Luckily we ended up ready to get enough cars and trucks all over the wrecks that we retained shifting up and we received in. That's a great deal far more annoying than I wished coming in right here," Truex instructed Performance Racing Network.

The 16-driver subject is established.

Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Blaney, William Byron, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Reddick, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suarez, Cindric, Alex Bowman and Dillon.

Chase Elliott (9), Erik Jones (43), Denny Hamlin (11), Joey Logano (22) and Ryan Blaney (12) make their way through the front stretch for the duration of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway in Daytona Beach front, Florida, on Aug. 28, 2022. (WHD Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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The following a few races will identify who will be removed following. NASCAR heads to Darlington, Kansas and Bristol. Right after Bristol, the four drivers with the most affordable position totals who haven’t received are removed. The winners of the races are then locked into the Spherical of 12.