The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular season finale, the Winn Dixie 250 Powered by Coca‑Cola, will take place at Daytona International Speedway on August 22, 2025, marking the final chance for drivers to secure a spot in the championship Chase.
Eight drivers have already locked themselves into the 12‑driver Chase, but six remaining competitors are jostling for the final four positions, creating a high‑stakes showdown that could reshape the playoff picture.
Parker Retzlaff, aiming for his first ever championship run, needs just ten points to clinch the ninth seed, while Sam Mayer, a perennial title contender with the Haas Factory Team, enjoys a 33‑point cushion over Rajah Caruth as he fights to maintain his lead.
A Battle of JGR Teammates
The fight for the 11th through 13th spots features JGR teammates William Sawalich, Brent Crews and Taylor Gray, each of whom is looking to break into the Chase for the first time, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend.
None of the six drivers vying for those final spots — Retzlaff, Mayer, Sawalich, Crews, Gray or Caruth — has ever won a race at Daytona, underscoring the significance of the upcoming event for their careers.
Justin Allgaier, the 2024 series champion, enters the race with a commanding 238‑point lead over the rest of the field, positioning him as the driver to beat as the green flag drops.
Champions, Rookies and Future Plans
The Chase field also includes a mix of rookie and veteran talent such as Carson Kvapil from JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed of Haas Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports rookie Corey Day, JGR’s Brandon Jones and Austin Hill of RCR.
Austin Hill, celebrated for his historic success at Daytona, is slated to make his full‑time debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, a move that could further elevate the series’ profile.
The last two Daytona O’Reilly Series races have been won from pole position, a trend that adds extra excitement as teams gear up for Kennametal Pole Qualifying on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET.
Fans will be able to watch the Winn Dixie 250 live on the CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 7:30 p.m. ET, ensuring broad coverage of what promises to be a thrilling finale.