DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Another exciting summer race at Daytona International Speedway has concluded, and once again, an unexpected driver has taken the checkered flag.

During Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, a surprising winner emerged, a victory celebrated by two iconic NASCAR families. This win will have implications as the playoffs begin in just two weeks, adding even more pressure on those drivers near the playoff bubble as they head into the final regular-season race at Darlington Raceway next weekend.

Here are five key takeaways from Saturday night’s event, which also featured a car flipping multiple times and another catching fire:

1. Wood Brothers Celebrate Another Surprise Victory

Harrison Burton now joins the list of unexpected winners at Daytona.

But can we really label any winner here as unexpected?

The 23-year-old driver, who was facing uncertainty about his future, managed to navigate through the chaos that took out many contenders in the last laps. All he had to do was overtake and fend off one of the sport’s elite — Kyle Busch, who was eager for a victory to secure a playoff position.

This was not an easy task, as Busch put up a tough fight off the final turn.

With this win, the Wood Brothers return to Daytona’s Victory Lane, marking the organization’s 100th NASCAR victory, more than a decade after their remarkable win in the 2011 Daytona 500 with Trevor Bayne.

Moreover, this represents Burton’s first career win, especially noteworthy since just weeks ago he was informed that he would not be retained in the No. 21 car next season after several disappointing years.

And then came Saturday.

The lesson here? Don’t be shocked. Daytona, alongside Talladega and the new “plate-race” track Atlanta, is one of the few venues where surprises are common.

2. Has Harrison Burton Improved His Job Prospects?

One thing is clear: He certainly hasn’t made things worse for himself.

The sentiment following the win is overwhelmingly positive.

With Burton’s father, Jeff, commentating, it brought back fond memories of Dale Jarrett’s 1993 Daytona 500 victory with his father Ned announcing it for CBS. The emotions were palpable for a family that understands how demanding this sport can be on both the driver and their mental well-being.

To lose your place in a team yet still show up week after week, giving your all even when the situation is daunting, and then to achieve glory on NASCAR’s largest platform is remarkable.

This win will undoubtedly boost Harrison Burton’s chances.

However, how much of an effect will it truly have? Much of this victory was due to staying out of trouble and being present at the finish. While Burton showed commendable effort, maintaining pace and defending his lead, the question remains: What does it mean for his career moving forward? With limited quality opportunities available and numerous talented drivers seeking rides, it may not significantly improve his situation.

3. Another Week, Another Car Flipping Incident

And so, the focus returns to NASCAR’s R&D center near Charlotte.

Corey LaJoie’s previous week’s flip at Michigan had many concerned. To address the issue, new equipment was added to cars this week, including a rail alongside the rear window, aiming to reduce such incidents since past roof flaps and other air-deflection measures had proven inadequate.

However, Josh Berry’s accident in the final laps highlighted that more improvements are needed. While running near the front, he was bumped, spun out, and overturned. He then slid upside-down for quite some distance before crashing hard into an inside barrier.

The quest for safety has persisted throughout racing history. Just when it seems cars have reached peak safety, incidents occur that reveal vulnerabilities.

4. Spectator Experience: Grandstands vs. Infield

This summer race at Daytona is beginning to resemble the Rolex 24 sports-car race, known for its lively infield atmosphere for fans.

The crowd in the grandstands was decent, estimated between 40,000 to 50,000 attendees, which is good, but pales in comparison to the maximum capacity seen during the Daytona 500.

At least that’s the executive perspective from the stands.

However, the infield was packed with motorhomes, travel trailers, and numerous tents filling the west-central section.

Speedway president Frank Kelleher mentioned before Saturday night’s race that all reserved campsite spots and suites along the track were fully booked. He noted that ticket purchasers were from all 50 states, 56 countries, and six continents.

5. NASCAR transitions from Daytona to Darlington, playoffs ahead

There is just one more race left in the 26-race Cup Series regular season, scheduled for next Sunday night at the iconic Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

Following Darlington, the action moves to Atlanta, marking the beginning of the 10-race playoffs.

Thirteen drivers have secured spots in the playoffs, leaving three slots open for the final race of the regular season. Those who are at risk of missing out will be racing intensely for points, while others without wins will aim to replicate Burton’s surprising success.