The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs guide arrives as the most anticipated phase of the stock car racing year begins, following a challenging 26-race regular season. Sixteen of the sport’s premier drivers gather at Darlington Raceway to kick off their quest for the championship title, aiming to etch their names into history at Phoenix this November.
As the field features defending champions, established veterans like Denny Hamlin, aspiring talents, and even a first-time playoff competitor, the stage is set for one of the most competitive battlefields in recent Cup Series memory.
How the Playoff Format Determines a Champion
The structure of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is tightly regimented, designed to steadily narrow the contenders over four rounds and ten races. Beginning with 16 drivers—each qualifying by points or wins during the regular season—the postseason unfolds in the following manner:
In the Round of 16, all racers face three crucial events. After these, the four drivers with the lowest points totals are eliminated. Victory in any of the three races secures that driver’s progression to the next round, increasing the pressure with each green flag.
The twelve remaining competitors enter the Round of 12 to contest three more races, with another quartet removed at the end of the sequence. The same process repeats in the Round of 8, further filtering the field to the best-performing quartet for the season finale.
When the playoffs reach their climax at the championship race in Phoenix, only four drivers remain. Unlike the previous rounds, this single event alone determines the champion. The highest finishing driver of the four, regardless of overall points, claims the championship.
To clarify the structure:
Round of 16
– 16 drivers
– 3 races
– Bottom 4 eliminated
Round of 12
– 12 drivers
– 3 races
– Bottom 4 eliminated
Round of 8
– 8 drivers
– 3 races
– Bottom 4 eliminated
Championship Race
– 4 drivers
– 1 race
– Highest finisher is the champion
Understanding Playoff Points and Standings
Each driver‘s points total is reset at the start of the playoffs and after each round, but the playoff points they’ve collected during the regular season carry forward, except for the final race. Playoff points are earned through stage wins and race victories, rewarding drivers who have consistently performed at their best throughout the year.
For 2025, Kyle Larson and William Byron have positioned themselves strongly by amassing 32 playoff points apiece, giving them a 26-point margin above the Round of 12 cutoff. Alex Bowman enters the postseason with just two playoff points, putting him at a five-point deficit relative to the cutoff and making his path to advance particularly challenging.
These playoff points provide a cushion heading into elimination rounds, but for the championship race in Phoenix, every finalist starts equally—playoff points no longer apply, and finishing order alone decides the title.
Drivers in the 2025 Playoff Field
Sixteen drivers have qualified for the 2025 playoffs, representing an impressive mixture of teams and manufacturers. Leading the field are Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet) and William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet), each holding a +26 buffer over the elimination threshold. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota) and Ryan Blaney (Team Penske, Ford) also sit atop the standings followed closely by Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota).
Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet), a standout rookie, enters with notable momentum, with veteran drivers like Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain all vying for advancement. Meanwhile, drivers like Alex Bowman and Austin Dillon begin the playoffs below the cutoff, intensifying the urgency from the opening round at Darlington.
The full list of playoff contenders as they enter the Round of 16 opener:
1. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
2. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
3. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
4. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske, Ford)
5. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
6. Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
7. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
8. Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
9. Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing, Toyota)
10. Austin Cindric (Team Penske, Ford)
11. Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
12. Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford)
13. Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing, Ford)
14. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing, Toyota)
15. Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
16. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
Playoff Race Calendar and Broadcast Information
The playoffs encompass 10 pivotal races, each hosted at a distinct and storied circuit. Fans can follow every round live, with USA Network covering the early stages and NBC taking over for the final rounds, including the decisive championship event.
The 2025 Cup Series playoff schedule:
Sun, Aug 31 – Darlington Raceway (Round of 16) – USA Network
Sun, Sep 7 – World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) (Round of 16) – USA Network
Sat, Sep 13 – Bristol Motor Speedway (Round of 16) – USA Network
Sun, Sep 21 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Round of 12) – USA Network
Sun, Sep 28 – Kansas Speedway (Round of 12) – USA Network
Sun, Oct 5 – Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (Roval) (Round of 12) – USA Network
Sun, Oct 12 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Round of 8) – USA Network
Sun, Oct 19 – Talladega Superspeedway (Round of 8) – NBC
Sun, Oct 26 – Martinsville Speedway (Round of 8) – NBC
Sun, Nov 2 – Phoenix Raceway (Championship Race) – NBC
Championship Odds for the 2025 Playoff Contenders
With the postseason underway, Oddschecker US has released its latest championship odds. Per their analysis, Kyle Larson stands as the favorite with +425. Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin are close contenders, each listed at +500, while Christopher Bell is at +600 and William Byron at +700. If Chase Elliott or Joey Logano can build momentum, both are poised as potential dark horses with longer odds.
A closer look at the current odds:
Kyle Larson: +425
Ryan Blaney: +500
Denny Hamlin: +500
Christopher Bell: +600
William Byron: +700
Chase Elliott: +1000
Joey Logano: +1800
Chase Briscoe: +2000
Tyler Reddick: +2500
Ross Chastain: +3000
Alex Bowman: +5000
Bubba Wallace: +5000
Austin Cindric: +6000
Shane Van Gisbergen: +8000
Josh Berry: +10000
Austin Dillon: +10000
The Path Forward and Championship Implications
The road to the NASCAR Cup Series championship is fraught with rivalry and unpredictable moments as every decision could mean the difference between advancing and elimination. As the intensity heightens from the opener at Darlington to the winner-take-all finale at Phoenix Raceway, drivers, teams, and fans alike brace for ten weeks of high-stakes action.
With stars like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney aiming to secure their place in NASCAR history, and emerging talents such as Shane van Gisbergen and Josh Berry eager to defy expectations, the 2025 Cup Series playoffs promise drama and emotional tension. The next champion will emerge not just as a victor of a single race, but as the survivor of a demanding playoff gauntlet that tests skill, consistency, and nerve.
