Bubba Wallace finds himself barely holding onto the last place in the NASCAR playoff standings with just eight regular-season races remaining, following a challenging run of recent results. His position in the points race has become precarious, with competition intensifying and key races looming, placing renewed focus on the Bubba Wallace NASCAR playoff standings.
Intense Battle for the Playoff Cutoff
Wallace dropped in the playoff order after finishing outside the top 20 in five of the past eight races. Last weekend, his 22nd-place showing at Atlanta contrasted sharply with Alex Bowman‘s performance. Bowman, previously on the cutoff line, surged to a third-place finish, earning 41 points compared to Wallace’s 16. This strong result allowed Bowman to leapfrog Wallace, putting Wallace directly on the cutline for the playoffs.
So far this NASCAR season, twelve drivers have secured wins, automatically qualifying for the playoffs and leaving just four open spots determined by points. The current group occupying those slots without wins includes Tyler Reddick — comfortably ahead by 128 points above the cutline — Chris Buescher at +52, Alex Bowman at +39, and Bubba Wallace, who now sits just 23 points above the cutoff.
Drivers Chasing the Final Playoff Positions
The pressure is increasing for those hoping to break into the playoff lineup. Closest behind Wallace are Ryan Preece at 23 points back, followed by Erik Jones at -49, AJ Allmendinger at -59, and Carson Hocevar at -62. With the margin remaining slim, these drivers remain firmly in contention as the regular season heads into its decisive final stretch.
Upcoming Races to Shape the Standings
The next two weekends bring critical challenges, with the NASCAR Cup Series set for consecutive street or road-course events. Sunday’s race takes place on the Chicago Street Course, where Bowman is the reigning winner. Immediately following, competitors will face Sonoma Raceway, last conquered by Kyle Larson. These tracks could prove pivotal for drivers on both sides of the playoff line, as each point now carries significant weight.
Wallace’s grip on the final playoff slot remains tenuous, with every stage and finish set to influence the standings. As drivers like Reddick, Buescher, Bowman, and Wallace fight to protect their positions from determined rivals such as Preece and Jones, the final weeks of the regular season promise heightened tension and shifting fortunes among NASCAR’s elite.
