With the dust settled at Daytona and the dramatic regular season finale concluded, the field for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Playoffs is officially set. Fans everywhere are eager to know which drivers have earned the coveted postseason spots, what it means for their championship chances, and how the grid breaks down after a roller-coaster season. Here’s your comprehensive guide for the playoff grid, the storylines to watch, and the journey each driver took to qualify for this year’s championship chase.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Grid: Who’s In?
This season’s playoffs feature 16 of the sport’s brightest stars—drivers who combined a mix of wins, points consistency, late-season heroics, and sheer perseverance to rise above the cut line. The postseason field is determined by race wins and points accrued during the 26 regular season events, with ties broken by stage wins and average finish position.
Below are the drivers who qualified for the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs, with their postseason points reset and bonus points from wins and stages added for the playoffs kickoff:
| Position | Driver | Points | Regular Season Wins | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Larson | 2032 | 3 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 2 | William Byron | 2032 | 2 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 2029 | 4 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney | 2026 | 2 | Team Penske |
| 5 | Christopher Bell | 2023 | 3 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 6 | Shane van Gisbergen | 2022 | 4 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 2013 | 1 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe | 2010 | 1 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 9 | Bubba Wallace | 2008 | 1 | 23XI Racing |
| 10 | Austin Cindric | 2008 | 1 | Team Penske |
| 11 | Ross Chastain | 2007 | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 12 | Joey Logano | 2007 | 1 | Team Penske |
| 13 | Josh Berry | 2006 | 1 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 14 | Tyler Reddick | 2006 | 0 | 23XI Racing |
| 15 | Austin Dillon | 2005 | 1 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 16 | Alex Bowman | 2002 | 0 | Hendrick Motorsports |
How Did They Qualify? Key Stories From the Regular Season
Race Winners Dominate:
Fourteen of the 16 playoff spots went to race winners, underlining NASCAR’s “win and you’re in” philosophy. Heavy hitters like Denny Hamlin (4 wins), Shane van Gisbergen (4), Christopher Bell (3), and Kyle Larson (3) grabbed victory lane multiple times, cementing their places and building momentum for the playoffs.
Consistency Pays Off:
Despite not winning a race, Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman clinched the final two spots on the strength of points. Both drivers showcased remarkable consistency, nabbing top-tens and second-place finishes while avoiding the kind of DNFs that could have derailed their season. Reddick and Bowman’s achievement reminds fans that steady results are essential, especially with chaotic superspeedway finales.
Breakthroughs and Redemption:
Josh Berry celebrated his first playoff berth as a full-time Cup driver with a win for the iconic Wood Brothers Racing organization. Austin Dillon’s playoff qualification came off the back of a gutsy August victory at Richmond, providing redemption after controversy in prior years. Bubba Wallace continued his ascent with a superspeedway win, ensuring 23XI Racing is well represented.
Late Drama at Daytona:
With Daytona notorious for unexpected twists, the playoff cut line saw tense battles down to the last lap. While drivers like Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Busch had hopes of sneaking in with a last-gasp win, they fell short as the race ended without a new points-eligible winner below the cut, locking Reddick and Bowman into the bracket.
Star Power and Surprises – The Playoff Field’s Depth
This year’s field is stacked top to bottom. Hendrick Motorsports leads with four entries (Larson, Byron, Bowman, Elliott), Team Penske fields three (Blaney, Cindric, Logano), and Joe Gibbs Racing brings power through Hamlin, Bell, and Briscoe. Trackhouse Racing fields two (van Gisbergen alongside Chastain), bringing a diverse mix of road course and superspeedway skills.
With rookie Josh Berry, opportunist Austin Dillon, and the dynamic Bubba Wallace all looking to make noise, fans can expect intrigue through every round. Shane van Gisbergen—the New Zealander excelling in only his second Cup season—emerges as an international wildcard with four wins and a fearless approach.
Playoff Rounds and Path to the Championship
The playoffs now shift to a three-round elimination format:
Round of 16: Darlington, Kansas, Bristol
Round of 12: Texas, Talladega, Charlotte Roval
Round of 8: Las Vegas, Homestead, Martinsville
Championship 4: Phoenix Raceway
Each round, four drivers are cut until Phoenix, where the top four battle for the title in a winner-take-all finale.
Notable Misses and the Heartbreak
Drivers like Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Busch finished just outside the playoffs on points. Despite flashes of speed and several second-place finishes, the lack of race wins and a few untimely misfortunes proved costly.
What to Watch as the Playoffs Begin
Momentum: Can multi-win drivers like Hamlin and van Gisbergen keep up the streak, or will consistency win the day?
Underdogs: Watch Berry, Dillon, and Wallace—drivers with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Manufacturer Battle: Chevrolet vs. Ford vs. Toyota remains fierce, with each brand well represented and hungry for the title.
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Grid
Sixteen drivers. Ten races. One championship up for grabs. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff grid is as competitive and exciting as fans could hope for, featuring proven winners, emerging talents, and a few underdogs ready to make their mark. As the postseason journey begins, every race promises new drama, surprises, and the kind of moments that make NASCAR unforgettable. Whether you’re rooting for a favorite, tracking the manufacturer battle, or just love the thrill of elimination rounds, this year’s playoff field will keep fans glued to every lap.
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