In a thrilling overtime finish at Daytona International Speedway, 23-year-old Harrison Burton secured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, edging out veteran Kyle Busch by mere inches. The win in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 not only marked Burton’s breakthrough moment but also delivered the historic 100th victory for the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team.

The race was characterized by intense action, multiple lead changes, and two major multi-car crashes that reshaped the field. Burton, who led only the final lap, received a crucial push from rookie Parker Retzlaff on the backstretch of the overtime period. This move allowed Burton to pass Busch and hold on for a narrow 0.047-second margin of victory.

“I cried the whole victory lap,” an emotional Burton said post-race. “To give the 100th [win] on my way out is amazing. We’re in the Playoffs now.”

The win catapults Burton into the NASCAR Playoffs, a remarkable turnaround considering he wasn’t even in the top 20 in points entering the race. The victory was particularly poignant as Burton had previously been released from his ride with Wood Brothers Racing for the upcoming season.

The race featured 16 different leaders and 40 lead changes, with Joey Logano leading a race-high 34 laps. However, Logano was among the many contenders taken out in a 14-car pileup with just seven laps to go in regulation.

The Daytona race significantly impacted the Playoff picture with only one race remaining in the regular season. Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, and Ross Chastain are now locked in a tight battle for the final Playoff spot heading into next week’s race at Darlington.

Kyle Busch, despite his strong second-place finish, still finds himself in need of a win at Darlington to secure a Playoff berth and extend his streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one victory.

As the regular season concludes next weekend at Darlington Raceway, Tyler Reddick maintains a slim lead in the championship standings over Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. The regular season champion will earn a valuable 15-point bonus for the Playoffs.

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