With 21 races remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the battle for the playoffs is intensifying. Christopher Bell (three wins), William Byron (one win), and Josh Berry (one win) have already secured their spots in the postseason with victories. Meanwhile, the fight for points positions is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Comfortable, But Not Safe
Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott are both sitting at +45 above the cutline, giving them some breathing room as the season progresses. Alex Bowman (+42) and Kyle Larson (+38) are in similar positions, but with the unpredictable nature of the Cup Series, they can’t afford to get too comfortable.
Defending champion Ryan Blaney (+29) and his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano (+22) round out the top eight, both maintaining solid gaps over the bubble but needing to keep their consistency high to avoid falling into trouble.
The Playoff Bubble Battle
Chris Buescher (+19) leads a tight mid-pack group that includes Ross Chastain (+14), Bubba Wallace (+11), and Denny Hamlin (+8). While these drivers currently hold playoff spots, their margins are slim, meaning a single bad race could drop them below the cutline.
Michael McDowell (+3) and John Hunter Nemechek (+2) are barely hanging onto their playoff hopes, while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is tied with Nemechek at +2. These three drivers are fighting for every point, knowing that one misstep could put them below the cutoff.
The Outside Looking In
Kyle Busch, a two-time series champion, finds himself just two points out of a playoff spot. It’s unfamiliar territory for the Richard Childress Racing driver, but with plenty of races left, he has time to turn things around.
Ryan Preece (-14), Daniel Suárez (-22), and Chase Briscoe (-22) have more ground to make up, but a win could change everything. With the unpredictability of superspeedway and road course races ahead, there’s still hope for these drivers to make a late-season surge.
With 21 races remaining, the playoff picture will continue to evolve. A surprise winner from outside the top 16 could shake up the standings, and consistency will be key for those hanging onto their positions. The battle for the postseason is heating up, and every point matters as the season unfolds.
Stay tuned as NASCAR’s best continue their fight for a spot in the championship chase.
– A Moment for the Ages in NASCAR
Josh Berry Cashes In on Surprise Vegas Win 
BREAKING NEWS: Josh Berry has been disqualified, and @Daniel_SuarezG is now the official winner of the Pennzoil 400.
