NASCAR Playoffs Situation Heading into Daytona Finale
As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season draws to a close, drivers face crucial stakes in the upcoming race at Daytona. Austin Dillon’s recent victory at Richmond Raceway has reshaped the playoff landscape, elevating the urgency for those vying for a postseason spot. With only one race remaining, the pathway to the playoffs is clear: victory at Daytona is essential for many competitors.
A total of 20 drivers must now contend for a win to secure a place in the playoffs:
- Chris Buescher
- Ryan Preece
- Kyle Busch
- Ty Gibbs
- AJ Allmendinger
- Brad Keselowski
- Carson Hocevar
- Michael McDowell
- Erik Jones
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Zane Smith
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Daniel Suarez
- Justin Haley
- Todd Gilliland
- Ty Dillon
- Noah Gragson
- Cole Custer
- Riley Herbst
- Cody Ware
Chris Buescher currently stands 60 points behind teammate Alex Bowman, who occupies the final playoff position. Buescher’s potential victory would automatically advance him to the postseason, effectively displacing the last driver on points.
Tyler Reddick (15th on the provisional grid) and Bowman (16th) are in a precarious position. If a new winner emerges at Daytona, it will trigger a tight points battle between the two, currently separated by 29 points.
Locked into the playoffs are:
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Denny Hamlin
- Kyle Larson
- Ryan Blaney
- Christopher Bell
- Chase Briscoe
- Bubba Wallace
- Joey Logano
- Ross Chastain
- Austin Cindric
- Josh Berry
- Shane van Gisbergen
- Austin Dillon
Notably, last year, Harrison Burton secured a playoff slot by winning at Daytona, but he is no longer in the Cup Series. The Wood Brothers, meanwhile, are represented by Josh Berry this season.
In summary, Daytona promises to be a pivotal showdown as drivers push for a chance at the championship, making victory the only acceptable outcome for many as the playoffs loom on the horizon.
