Tyler Reddick eyes Daytona sweep as playoff bubble drivers fight for position on the high banks

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, with championship implications, a potential Daytona season sweep and new superspeedway rules adding to the stakes on race weekend.

Reigning Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick enters the summer race with an opportunity to accomplish something that has not been done in more than a decade.

Reddick will attempt to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2013 to win both NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona in the same season.

13 Drivers Have Clinched Chase Spots

Thirteen drivers have already secured spots in The Chase: Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, Carson Hocevar, William Byron and Daniel Suarez.

That leaves the spotlight on drivers fighting around the cutoff line as Daytona’s unpredictable pack racing creates one of the season’s biggest opportunities for the championship picture to change.

Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski enter the weekend on the outside of the cutoff looking in.

Shane van Gisbergen sits 16th in the standings and will battle to remain above the cutoff line. Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric currently occupy the other two positions inside the top 16.

Blaney Chasing Back-to-Back Daytona Victories

Ryan Blaney has already secured his place in The Chase, but another milestone remains within reach.

Blaney will attempt to win consecutive Coke Zero Sugar 400 races and capture his third victory in Daytona’s summer Cup Series event.

With his postseason position already secured, Blaney can focus on adding another Daytona trophy rather than racing primarily for points.

Hocevar Eyes Superspeedway Sweep

Carson Hocevar also arrives at Daytona with history on the line.

After winning the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this season, Hocevar can become the first driver since Denny Hamlin in 2020 to win Cup races at both Daytona and Talladega in the same season.

Hocevar enters Daytona 11th in the standings.

New Rules Coming to Daytona

Drivers will also face a different aerodynamic and horsepower package for the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

The rear spoiler will be reduced from 7 inches to 4 inches, matching the height used at intermediate tracks. The change is intended to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Horsepower will also be reduced from 510 to 465 to compensate for the reduction in downforce.

NASCAR officials anticipate the changes will make single-car runs approximately 3 mph faster than under the previous package. Speeds in the draft, however, are expected to remain roughly comparable.

The changes could introduce another variable as drivers and teams determine how the new package affects handling, passing, drafting and strategy in Daytona’s tightly packed racing.

Daytona Could Reshape The Chase

Few tracks offer the unpredictability of Daytona.

With Preece and Keselowski trying to race their way above the cutoff and van Gisbergen fighting to remain inside the top 16, one crash, strategic gamble or late-race move could dramatically alter the championship picture.

Meanwhile, Reddick, Blaney and Hocevar arrive chasing their own pieces of Daytona history.

That combination puts the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the center of the NASCAR championship conversation as the field returns to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily Mayfield, will host the fourth annual BE the Ball event Sunday, Aug. 30, at Topgolf Tampa, bringing professional athletes, sponsors and community supporters together to raise support for local children and families.

This year’s beneficiary is the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, which works to expand access to early childhood education and school-readiness programs throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Baker and Emily Mayfield will be available to members of the media before the event to discuss BE the Ball, the work of the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation and their support for the Early Learning Coalition.

Fourth Annual BE the Ball

BE the Ball combines friendly competition at Topgolf with the Mayfields’ philanthropic efforts in the Tampa Bay community.

Now in its fourth year, the event brings together athletes, sponsors and community supporters while directing attention and resources toward organizations serving children and families.

This year’s partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County puts early childhood education at the center of the event.

Who: Baker and Emily Mayfield
What: Media availability ahead of the fourth annual BE the Ball event
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: 1:15-1:30 p.m.
Location: Topgolf Tampa, third floor
Address: 10690 Palm River Road, Tampa, FL 33619
Beneficiary: Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Antoine Griezmann scored twice in the second half, including the game-winner in the 81st minute, as Orlando City SC rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Real Salt Lake 2-1 Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium.

Griezmann’s first Major League Soccer brace delivered a critical home victory for Orlando City (7-11-3, 24 points) as the Lions moved above the playoff line.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner now has four goals for Orlando City across all competitions and three goal contributions over his last two matches.

Real Salt Lake Strikes First

Real Salt Lake (8-8-4, 28 points) took the lead in the 36th minute.

Sam Junqua delivered a long cross toward the far post, where Dominik Marczuk got behind Orlando’s defensive line and volleyed the ball into the lower-left corner.

The goal sent Orlando City into halftime trailing 1-0 and needing a stronger attacking performance in the second half.

Interim head coach Martín Perelman responded with three substitutions at halftime, bringing on Joran Gerbet, Justin Ellis and Daryl Dike.

The changes quickly paid off.

Griezmann Ignites Orlando Comeback

Orlando pulled even in the 53rd minute.

Ellis delivered a cross from the edge of the penalty area to Dike, who controlled the ball, turned and fired. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar made the initial save, but the rebound landed in front of Griezmann.

Griezmann buried the opportunity to make it 1-1.

Orlando continued applying pressure before Griezmann struck again in the 81st minute.

Tyrese Spicer found Griezmann inside the box. Griezmann’s backheel attempt struck a defender, but he recovered the rebound and calmly finished low into the right corner to give Orlando a 2-1 lead.

It was Griezmann’s third and fourth goals for the Lions across all competitions and his first two-goal performance in MLS.

Griezmann: Orlando Became ‘More Aggressive’

Griezmann said Orlando’s second-half adjustments allowed the Lions to create more opportunities.

“It was a complicated game,” Griezmann said through a Spanish interpreter. “It’s always difficult to start with a deficit.”

He said Orlando became more aggressive in the attacking third and played quicker after halftime.

The statistical advantage reflected that increased pressure. Orlando finished with 59.6% possession and 13 shots, compared with Real Salt Lake’s 40.4% possession and nine shots.

Perelman Credits Second-Half Response

Perelman credited Orlando’s substitutes and the team’s persistence after falling behind.

“I think the guys made a huge effort,” Perelman said. “Fortunately, we were able to come back and win because we really needed it.”

The Lions entered the match needing points as they battle for postseason position.

Midfielder Joran Gerbet called it a “gritty win” and emphasized the importance of getting the result at home after months of work.

Jansson Reaches 250-Start Milestone

Captain Robin Jansson made his 250th start across all competitions for Orlando City, adding another milestone to his tenure with the club.

Perelman made four changes to the starting lineup from Orlando’s previous match against Chicago Fire FC, inserting Eduard Atuesta, Marco Pašalić, Zakaria Taifi and Tiago.

Orlando played without defenders Adrián Marín and Bernardo Rhein and midfielders Braian Ojeda and Martín Ojedá because of injuries.

By the Numbers

Final: Orlando City SC 2, Real Salt Lake 1
Attendance: 17,612
Possession: Orlando 59.6%, Real Salt Lake 40.4%
Shots: Orlando 13, Real Salt Lake 9
Corners: Orlando 5, Real Salt Lake 4
Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann

Scoring

36′ — RSL: Dominik Marczuk (Sam Junqua, Alexandros Katranis)
53′ — ORL: Antoine Griezmann
81′ — ORL: Antoine Griezmann

What’s Next

Orlando City now heads back on the road for a Western Conference test against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Allianz Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.