Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney earn last two NASCAR playoff spots at rain-soaked Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Dillon avoided a massive wreck in the rain to win at Daytona International Speedway and snag a playoff spot in the Cup Series' regular-season finale Sunday.

Dillon passed Austin Cindric for the lead with three laps to go after a red flag that lasted 3 hours, 20 minutes for inclement weather. It was an aggressive move that capped a drama-filled race.

«It's crazy,'' Dillon said. „You just never give up and have faith. We had some tough finishes this year, like Charlotte. I beat myself up over that. I made a good move and just didn't finish it off. Today we finished it off.''

Martin Truex Jr. was the biggest loser. Truex looked like he would secure the final postseason berth when the skies opened up, but he faded once the race restarted and allowed Ryan Blaney to make up ground in a wild points scramble.

Blaney finished seven spots behind Truex in the race but three points ahead in the standings.

“You just try to stay optimistic,» Blaney said. «Definitely a roller coaster of emotions that ended on a high note.»

Added Truex: «We gave away plenty of points throughout the season. It is what it is.»

Dillon's victory in the No. 3 Chevrolet was as stunning as Blaney's comeback. Running 16th at the time of the crash, he turned onto the apron to avoid the 15-car melee between Turns 1 and 2 that was caused by a summer shower everyone saw coming. Cars started sliding sideways heading into the high-banked turn, a result of slick tires losing grip on wet asphalt.

Daniel Suarez and Denny Hamlin were running 1-2 when the pack drove into the rain with 23 laps remaining.

«Just throw the caution before the rain came,» Hamlin said, adding that «better officiating» is needed. «We had rain down the front, so about