Shane van Gisbergen won his first stage win on an oval of his NASCAR career.
But it didn’t come without controversy.
The Trackhouse Racing driver bumped the back of Kyle Larson’s Chevrolet as they approached the finish line to end Stage 1 of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Aug. 29. Larson then ran into the back of race leader Chris Buescher to send both Larson and Buescher into the frontstretch grass. Larson finished sixth and Buescher went from the lead to 11th and didn’t get any stage points.
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Ryan Preece, Buescher’s teammate, was collected in the wreck by Buescher and Larson when they went across the track to the grass. Preece entered the regular-season finale 17th in points, 31 points behind van Gisbergen for the final spot in the Chase.
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Tom Cruise attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Tom Cruise attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: A general view of NASCAR fans on the the infield grass prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: NASCAR fans take a selfie on the the infield grass prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Tom Cruise speaks during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Jerry Bruckheimer attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Tom Cruise attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: A general view of the Daytona International Speedway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Michael McDowell, driver of the #71 Fly Alliance Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 TREETOP Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Autotrader Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Miner Docks Doors and More Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Austin Hill, driver of the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Erik Jones, driver of the #43 Dollar Tree Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: John H. Nemechek, driver of the #42 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, (L) and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Wendy’s Watermelon Lemonade Chevrolet, talk on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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Inside NASCAR Daytona race Coke Zero best photos: Chase set after tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Autotrader Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
Ty Gibbs finished second and Joey Logano finished third.
Preece finished eighth, earning three stage points but losing points ground to van Gisbergen.
Chris Buescher’s car needs repairs after crash
Buescher lost 13 laps after the last-lap accident for repairs involving the suspension and steering.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Shane van Gisbergen wins NASCAR Daytona first stage in crazy finish
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