WATCH: Coke Zero 400 green flag delivered by soldiers rappelling

Ahead of Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series Coke No Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, United States troops rappelled from a helicopter to deliver the green flag. It was an unique moment befitting of the regular season ending, and you understand the crowd at the “World Center of Racing” needed to have actually enjoyed it.

With the pre-race festivities total, it’s time for 400 miles of racing at Daytona. There’s a lot at stake for the 22 motorists in the field who have yet to clinch their area in the postseason. As things stand heading into the race, Tyler Reddick has the 15th playoff spot, +89 above the cutline and 29 points ahead of Alex Bowman. If there’s a new winner at Daytona, only one of Reddick or Bowman will enter the playoffs. Both will be playoff bound if there is no brand-new winner– it’s that easy.

NASCAR routine season finale at Daytona: Numerous playoff areas up for grabs

Beyond Reddick and Bowman, a number of veteran drivers are wanting to win their method into the playoffs. Those consist of previous champs Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski, together with notables Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece and Ty Gibbs. Keselowski spoke previously this week about his must-win scenario.

“Win the race,” Keselowski said of RFK Racing’s technique. “You attempt to prepare for races that have so much turmoil and it’s sort of absurd to attempt to do that. You simply try to endure and win at the end.”

Busch, meanwhile, is trying to find his first win because June 2023. He did come close in this race last season, ending up runner-up to Harrison Burton. If he finds his way to Success Lane Saturday night, expect an impressive event.

” [There would be] a lot of Rebel Bourbon, that’s for sure,” Busch stated. “I might be even worse than Brad Keselowski after a champion.”