Following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, the latest playoff standings reveal a significant shift for several teams and drivers, with a particular spotlight on Hendrick Motorsports in the current NASCAR playoff standings. Kyle Busch, racing for Richard Childress Racing, made notable progress in his push for a playoff spot, while a key Hendrick Motorsports contender slipped in the rankings, intensifying the postseason fight.
Kyle Busch Advances in the Playoff Race
Kyle Busch, despite being winless so far in the 2025 season, improved his playoff chances after securing a top-10 finish at Sonoma. Prior to Sunday’s event, Busch trailed Bubba Wallace by 47 points for the final playoff position. The result at Sonoma trimmed that deficit to 37 points with six regular season events remaining, giving Busch crucial momentum and several more opportunities to clinch his postseason berth, either through points accumulation or potentially by winning a race outright.
His performance not only underscores the competitiveness at this stage of the season but also brings his playoff ambitions within reach, emphasizing the pressure on those hovering near the cut line.
Bubba Wallace and the Fight Near the Cutoff
Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing currently occupies the final playoff spot in 16th, holding just a three-point lead over 17th-placed Ryan Preece. As the margins tighten, Wallace finds himself on the bubble, with every remaining race carrying additional weight for his postseason hopes. Ryan Preece, right behind him, remains within striking distance of breaking into the top 16, while AJ Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs also sit just below the cut and remain mathematical contenders in the coming weeks.
Hendrick Motorsports Update: Alex Bowman’s Standings Dip
Hendrick Motorsports, a dominant force in recent NASCAR seasons, saw an unexpected dip for Alex Bowman. After finishing 19th at Sonoma, Bowman dropped to 15th in the playoff standings, with a 32-point cushion above the cutoff. This finish also cost him in the regular season table, falling from inside the top 10 to 12th place. Such movement not only affects Bowman’s individual prospects but could influence Hendrick Motorsports’ broader playoff strategy as the regular season draws to a close.
Hendrick Motorsports Drivers at the Top
Despite Bowman’s slip, Hendrick Motorsports retains a strong presence at the summit of the regular season standings. William Byron continues to lead, with teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson following in second and third, respectively. Their consistent performances have kept Hendrick Motorsports at the forefront of the team championship discussion, with Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing completing the top five.
Complete NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings Post-Sonoma
After Sonoma, the top 16 in playoff points are as follows:
1. Kyle Larson – Locked in
2. Denny Hamlin – Locked in
3. Shane van Gisbergen – Locked in
4. Christopher Bell – Locked in
5. William Byron – Locked in
6. Ryan Blaney – Locked in
7. Austin Cindric – Locked in
8. Joey Logano – Locked in
9. Chase Briscoe – Locked in
10. Ross Chastain – Locked in
11. Josh Berry – Locked in
12. Chase Elliott – Locked in
13. Tyler Reddick, +149 points above the cut
14. Chris Buescher, +34
15. Alex Bowman, +32
16. Bubba Wallace, +3
Playoff cut line:
17. Ryan Preece, -3
18. Kyle Busch, -37
19. AJ Allmendinger, -50
20. Ty Gibbs, -60
This standings snapshot confirms that while some drivers are safely through, the contest near the cutoff is highly competitive. For Kyle Busch, AJ Allmendinger, Ty Gibbs, and others, the next six races will be vital.
How the Regular Season Standings Compare
Here is the order of the regular season points after Sonoma’s race:
1. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports chevrolet/”>Chevrolet) – 668 points
2. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – 654
3. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – 624
4. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing toyota/”>Toyota) – 615
5. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – 606
6. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – 597
7. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske ford/”>Ford) – 545
8. Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – 526
9. Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) – 513
10. Chris Buescher (RFK Racing Ford) – 500
11. Joey Logano (Team Penske Ford) – 499
12. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – 498
13. Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing Toyota) – 469
14. Ryan Preece (RFK Racing Ford) – 466
15. Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) – 432
16. AJ Allmendinger (Kaulig Racing Chevrolet) – 419
17. Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – 409
18. Erik Jones (Legacy Motor Club Toyota) – 401
19. Michael McDowell (Spire Motorsports Chevrolet) – 399
20. Austin Cindric (Team Penske Ford) – 396
Notable names just outside the top 20 include Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing Ford), John H. Nemechek (Legacy Motor Club Toyota), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet), underlining the depth of competition this season.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
With just six regular season events remaining, the battle for playoff spots is becoming more intense, especially for drivers on the fringe of the cut line such as Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, and Alex Bowman. Hendrick Motorsports holds a commanding position in the regular season standings through strong performances from Byron, Elliott, and Larson, although Bowman’s slip adds a layer of uncertainty for the team. As the series moves forward, drivers will be under increasing pressure to secure consistent results or a pivotal win to guarantee a playoff run, setting up a dramatic final stretch leading into the postseason.
