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NASCAR Cup Series playoff scenarios heading to Daytona
One race remains to fill one spot in the 16-driver Cup Series playoff field and it will come on one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable tracks.
Jim Utter
Edited: Aug 24, 2021, 5:30 PM
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Saturday night’s race at Daytona International Speedway will determine the final member of the 2021 playoff field and decide whether Kyle Larson or Denny Hamlin will win the regular season championship and the important 15 playoff points that come with it.
Fifteen drivers are already locked in the playoffs by having won at least one race so far this season or because they have accumulated so many points they can’t fall out of the top-16.
They are: Larson, Hamlin, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell and Aric Almirola.
Here are the different scenarios the final playoff berth and the regular season champion could be determined in Saturday night’s race:
Final playoff berth
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the fourth winless driver in the series standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if the new winner were to be Hamlin or Harvick.
· Tyler Reddick: Would clinch with 31 points.
· Austin Dillon: Could only clinch with help.
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Dow Salutes Veterans
Photo by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
Win and you're in
The following drivers would clinch by simply winning Saturday’s race: Reddick, Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman, Ryan Preece, Cole Custer, Anthony Alfredo and Corey LaJoie.
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Toyota Camry DoorDash, Ryan Newman, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Mustang Planters
Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
Regular season championship
Only Larson or Hamlin can win the 2021 regular season championship. Larson currently leads Hamlin by 28 points.
· Kyle Larson: Would clinch with 32 points.
· Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Cincinnati
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
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