DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR’s playoff system is designed to give a long shot a chance to race for the championship.

As a pack of underdogs hurtled toward the finish line at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night there was a real possibility of an upset and someone racing their way into the postseason by winning the regular-season finale.

Then a favorite spoiled it all.

Ryan Blaney won a four-wide race to claim the checkered flag — a victory that denied a Cinderella moment and gave Alex Bowman the final spot in the playoffs.

Blaney was 13th with two laps to go, then muscled his Team Penske Ford to the front and surged slightly ahead right before the finish line. He beat Daniel Suarez by 0.031 seconds, Justin Haley by 0.036 seconds and Cole Custer by 0.049 seconds.

Erik

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