NASCAR
Ryan Sieg Finally Victorious in Daytona, O’Reilly Chase Grid Set
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Friday night saw underdogs celebrate aplenty in Daytona. The O’Reilly Series regular season ended with a bang between a first-time winner and The Chase’s final berths handed out. In his 424th career start, Ryan Sieg is now a NASCAR winner on the sport’s biggest stage. The 39-year-old veteran only took command in an overtime dash. Behind him, the final ticket to the 12-man title dance went to Rajah Caruth, who rallied from a late spin to limp home with just enough points.
Four-time Daytona spring winner Austin Hill looked as dominant as ever early on, taking Stage 1. The No. 21 Chevrolet would then spin going for the lead late in Stage 2, giving this win to Rajah Caruth. Driver No. 88 began the night outside of The Chase, but earned a whopping 19 stage points to put himself in prime position.
Despite Hill’s lap 55 spin, the 21 suffered no damage and soon was back in the lead pack. Up front, meanwhile, was Carson Kvapil, looking to win an unprecedented third-straight race. Kvapil’s cruise to victory lane was only interrupted by Rajah Caruth spinning from second with three laps left.
.@rajahcaruth_ gets spun around while pushing for the lead with only 3 laps to go.
Overtime upcoming! pic.twitter.com/lHD0zIlISA
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) August 29, 2026
In overtime, Ryan Sieg had enough help from Austin Hill to clear the pack at the white flag. The man who recently took over the O’Reilly Series all-time starts record had a miracle last lap, with nobody ever getting beside him. The 424th time was the charm for the Tucker, Georgia native to finally pull into NASCAR victory lane.
FINAL LAPS: @RyanSiegRacing takes command coming to the white flag @DAYTONA and finally claims a maiden #NASCAR win before a huge celebration in the grass with @RSSRacing__ pic.twitter.com/c67jw5GHAZ
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
“This is unbelievable, incredible, especially to do it here at Daytona,” Sieg said after the checkers. “I’ve been coming here since I was a baby, we’ve been coming here every summer race. To do it right now in the way we did it, that’s amazing. We got the pole last week too. Just got to thank everyone that helps us out, my parents, girlfriend, team, all their support from everyone. This has been a long time coming. Last week we got the pole, and we came back to Daytona where I really wanted to win. We freaking did it.”
“Just not messing up and getting too far out was the biggest thing, and then just watching both lanes. We had a good enough car to do it, thanks to Chevrolet and Hendrick power. Just super excited to do it here at Daytona.”
Behind Sieg at the finish were: Austin Hill, Carson Kvapil, Anthony Alfredo, and Brandon Jones. The rest of Daytona’s top-10 were: Justin Allgaier, Brennan Poole, Harrison Burton, Jeb Burton, and Sheldon Creed. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
.@_AustinHill says 2nd in any superspeedway race sucks but he is happy to see fellow Georgian @RyanSiegRacing finally get a first #NASCAR win.
Hill says the 21 miraculously had no damage after his spin in stage 2. pic.twitter.com/9qeiziJ2NJ
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
.@Carson_Kvapil led 50 laps tonight only to lose control in overtime and finish Daytona in 3rd.
Although not a winner again this time, the 1 is the second Chase seed for the 9-week title run. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ccTj4LWzev
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
“We didn’t even make this race in February!”@anthonyalfredo calls tonight’s 4th place run a huge points night for @VKNGMotorsports and he expects to race around Chase teams over the next 9 races. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/GP4hXTSlwd
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
.@BrandonJonesRac is all smiles after a strong top-5 run from @DAYTONA and looks forward to the upcoming Chase run with @JoeGibbsRacing #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/QrcMb4RB5D
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
.@J_Allgaier takes blame for the bump that sent @rajahcaruth_ spinning and says he’ll go talk to his teammate.
This interview was also interrupted by Allgaier congratulating first-time winner @RyanSiegRacing.
The regular season champion loses about 200 points off his lead… pic.twitter.com/vNc8rQ4wZc
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
32nd after his spin was just enough for Rajah Caruth to eek out the final Chase spot by five points. Joining him in the title hunt from Daytona were: Parker Retzlaff, Sam Mayer, and Taylor Gray. Caruth replayed the tough moment that saw him spin from the top-two late and still survive for a maiden Playoff berth.
.@rajahcaruth_ calls tonight a big picture win making his first Chase appearance, but says better decisions could’ve been made with his spin coming to 2 laps left.
The @JRMotorsports 88 finished 32nd tonight but is in the 12-man cut by 5 points. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/TjKmXsvExM
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 29, 2026
The O’Reilly Series Chase grid is now set, with nine races left to crown the 2026 champion. Regular season frontrunner Justin Allgaier now holds a 25-point gap heading into Darlington next week.
And then there were 12 … pic.twitter.com/Cder7bQPAK
— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) August 29, 2026
The O’Reilly Series Chase kicks off at The Track Too Tough To Tame on Saturday with the Fleetio 200. Darlington’s green flag will fly at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Allgaier certainly heads to South Carolina with the wind at his back, as a four-time winner here.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images
