DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For the first time in Ryan Sieg's career, he can officially call himself a national NASCAR series winner. He can also move forward knowing that he set a record in the process.
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The Georgia native scored his first career win on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway in what was his 424th career O'Reilly Auto Parts Series start. He officially became the driver with the most starts in series history before breaking through for his first win.
Sieg also became the fifth first-time winner in this series this season. He followed Sheldon Creed (Atlanta), Carson Kvapil (Indianapolis), William Sawalich (Rockingham), and Corey Day (Talladega).
"At least it's some type of record," Sieg said in the media center after the race (laughs). "It doesn't matter. We're in victory lane at Daytona, so no better feeling than that.
"It's a dream come true. Just... it's surreal right now."
— Ryan Sieg Racing (@RyanSiegRacing) August 29, 2026
Sieg did not have the dominant car on Friday night at Daytona. He started 12th but missed out on points in the first two stages. Yet, he kept his car clean and avoided the multi-car incidents that unfolded throughout the regular-season finale.
His opportunity to win came very late. Carson Kvapil, Rajah Caruth, and Justin Allgaier had control of the race, but a push from Allgaier sent Caruth into the outside wall with three laps remaining. This forced the field to bunch back up and prepare for an overtime finish.
38 SPECIAL!!!!
RYAN SIEG CLAIMS HIS FIRST CAREER VICTORY IN OVERTIME AT DAYTONA! pic.twitter.com/4TIN9U8cgK
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) August 29, 2026
Kvapil and Allgaier took the front row for the restart while Leland Honeyman Jr. and Sieg took the second. Once the green flag waved, Kvapil moved to the outside to jump in front of Allgaier. Sieg remained on the bottom line as Austin Hill pushed him forward.
Kvapil continued blocking the outside lane, which opened up the bottom for big moves. Sieg didn't hesitate. He continued holding down the bottom lane, and he used the pushes from Hill to clear for the lead at the white flag.
From that point on, the Georgia native just had to manage both lanes. He moved up top and blocked Kvapil. He then moved back down and blocked Hill.
He built up a big enough lead that he could hold on until the checkered flag. He relied on spotter Tim Fedewa, who has previously guided Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney to multiple wins.
For the first time in Ryan Sieg's career, he's celebrating a win in the media center. pic.twitter.com/FkEwhOsr7K
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) August 29, 2026
"Coming to the white, adrenaline was setting in, and I was just doing all I could do to... pretty much driving in the mirror," he said. "And I knew we were out far enough, and to manage them and box them in was really the key.
"I've been in this position one too many times to get off too far, and then I knew today just to keep just enough distance up front, and I was able to manage the gap. And it all kind of worked out, and then to come across the checkered flag and seeing it waving was just the ultimate great feeling to finally do it here."
This not the first brush that Sieg has had with victory lane. He has five runner-up finishes in his career. The most notable among these is a .002-second loss to Sam Mayer at Texas Motor Speedway in 2024.
Yet on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, Sieg finally closed out the deal. He took the lessons learned from the past, and he used them to deliver in the biggest moment of his career.
"Ah, finally, the release," he said. "No more goose egg in that win column."
