Harrison Burton, who started the race ranked 34th in points standings—the lowest among all full-time drivers—claimed his first Cup Series victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.
This surprising win not only marked a personal milestone for Burton but also represented the prestigious 100th win for the Wood Brothers Racing team.
Given the recent changes to NASCAR’s playoff qualification rules, Burton’s victory secured him a spot in the playoffs, a development that has stirred up considerable debate within the racing community.
The 2024 NASCAR season saw the elimination of the top 30 points requirement for playoff eligibility, setting the stage for unexpected competitors like Burton to leap into playoff contention upon winning a race.