The NASCAR Cup Series completes the regular season with the Coke Zero 400 on Aug. 29 at Daytona.
The race for the final Chase berths will come down to four drivers for two spots (Austin Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski). Keselowski is 66 points out of 16th, so he’s a long shot. But Preece is 31 points behind SVG and 44 behind Cindric.
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Denny Hamlin has locked into the top seed in the Chase, while Ryan Blaney has a large cushion in second.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona:
DAYTONA SCHEDULE: NASCAR Daytona full weekend track schedule, TV schedule for the Coke Zero 400, other races
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 15, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 15, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
May 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates in victory lane after he wins the Wurth 400 race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
May 4: Joey Logano celebrates after winning the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano is introduced before the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 1, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a photo opportunity with (L-R) 2024 NASCAR Champion Joey Logano, 2023 NASCAR Champion Ryan Blaney and Chairman of the Penske Corporation Roger Penske at the South Portico of the White House on April 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted race car drivers and team owners for a visit to the White House. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) talks to the audience after being announced as the three time Cup champion during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Nov 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates after winning the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Nov 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates after winning the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona.
(James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Sept 8: Joey Logano celebrates after winning the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
(Jason Allen, Imagn Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – AUGUST 11: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano celebrates winning the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) does a burnout after finishing first winning the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) finishes the race, winning the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
May 19, 2024; North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates his win with his team during the All Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
(USA TODAY)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Feb 14, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) reacts after winning the pole award during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano Brittnany Logano poses on the red carpet for the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) spins out Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano (22) driver of the Shell Pennzoil Ford, (L) and Corey LaJoie (7) Garner Trucking Chevrolet, share a laugh on the grid prior to a weather-delayed restart of the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 7, 2023, in Brooklyn, Michigan.
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano waits by his car with family and crew before the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
March 19: Joey Logano celebrates after winning the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
(David Yeazell, USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano climbs into the no. 22 Ford for the final Nascar cup series practice, Saturday morning February 18, 2023 at Daytona International Speedway.
(David TuckerNews Journal)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano stands in the window of the no. 22 Ford in Victory Lane, Thursday February 16, 2023 after winning the first Blue Green Vacations Duel at Daytona International Speedway.
(David TuckerNews Journal)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano watches the action on the giant TV screne towering over pit road, Wednesday February 15, 2023 during Daytona 500 qualifying.
(David TuckerNews Journal)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano, 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and Daytona 500 winner poses with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship trophy at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Logano competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
(Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano speaks during the NASCAR Awards Show at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Nov 6, 2022; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) hoists the Cup Series champions trophy into the air after winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gould/The Republic
(Alex Gould, Alex Gould/The Republic)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Nov. 6: Joey Logano celebrates winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Oct. 16: Joey Logano celebrates after winning the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) makes a pit stop during the Ally 400 at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano (22) goes through the grass toward a tire wall after crashing on a piece of curbing Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Randy Crist/For IndyStar)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) chats with his crew before the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano observes the National Anthem during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano does a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano and his wife Brittany walk the red carpet before the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates after winning the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit on Oct. 18, 2020:
(Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
Joey Logano celebrates with his wife Brittany after winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
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Joey Logano, NASCAR driver with 3 Cup championships for Team Penske
May 8, 2015; Kansas City, KS, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (left) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (right) talk during practice for the Spongebob Squarepants 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
NASCAR predictions for Daytona Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the Coke Zero 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Reddick started the regular season strong at Daytona with the first of three straight wins and will finish it strong at Daytona. He’s been in or near the top-10 in four of the last six races and is ready to break through.
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Nick Gray’s pick: Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The Google random number generator landed on the number 48. Bowman does OK at pack racing when still running at the finish (14 top-10s in 32 career races in which he was running at the finish at Daytona and Talladega). Good enough for me.
Tom Kreager’s pick: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Can Chevrolet find speed this week? If they can’t do it this week, forget about Chevrolet drivers competing for a championship title in the Chase. Byron figures it out and gets to Victory Lane.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Daytona predictions 2026, expert picks for Coke Zero 400 Cup race
