Bubba Wallace, after an impressive series of playoff performances, now stands as a strong candidate to make the Championship 4 in the NASCAR Cup Series. His momentum heading into the upcoming elimination rounds has shifted expectations, as he moves from a last-minute qualifier to being seen as one of the drivers to watch as a Bubba Wallace Championship 4 contender.
Other drivers like Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Kyle Larson are also entering the next stage of the playoffs with strong results, but Wallace’s recent run has set the stage for a potentially historic playoff advancement for both him and his team, 23XI Racing.
Denny Hamlin Locks in Another Victory and Eyes Final Four
Denny Hamlin captured his fifth win of the 2025 season at World Wide Technology Raceway, securing his place in the Round of 12. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin’s Sunday win not only adds to his career tally but reinforces his continual aim for the Championship 4. After leading 75 laps, Hamlin can now focus on gaining extra playoff points rather than worrying about elimination in the next race at Bristol Motor Speedway. His team, boasting experience and multiple previous wins, remains a formidable threat to the competition.
Chase Briscoe Maintains Aggression After Strong Finish
Chase Briscoe, Hamlin’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, recovered from a mid-race incident at Gateway to claim second place. With his Darlington win and additional stage victories, Briscoe too is guaranteed a spot in the next playoff round. He plans to use his short-track expertise to capitalize on the Bristol race, aiming to acquire more playoff points and further separate himself from the rest of the field before the cutoff reduces the competition.
Kyle Larson Rebounds and Remains a Bristol Favorite
Kyle Larson bounced back from earlier difficulties in Darlington by posting a solid 12th-place finish at Gateway, scoring 41 points and building a 60-point advantage above the cutoff line. Larson’s dominance at Bristol is well known, notably leading 462 laps in last year’s night race. His team is eager to recapture early-season form as Larson is among the favorites to not just advance but potentially dominate the upcoming elimination event at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Ryan Blaney’s Consistency Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
Ryan Blaney of Team Penske secured a crucial fourth-place finish at Gateway, solidifying his playoff standing with a 42-point cushion over the elimination line. While Team Penske drivers have not won at Bristol in the past ten years, Blaney’s steady performance and ability to avoid mistakes put him in strong contention to continue advancing, provided he maintains this consistency at short-track venues.
Bubba Wallace Climbs the Standings After Gateway
Wallace’s eighth-place finish at Gateway elevated him to fourth in points, and he now holds a remarkable 50-point buffer above the cutoff. His recent string of strong results has shifted his profile from a late-comer to a legitimate playoff heavyweight. While Bristol Motor Speedway has not historically favored him, his momentum and a past top-five finish at the track in last year’s race suggest he could continue this upward trajectory. Wallace is now viewed as not just safe for the Round of 12, but as a possible breakthrough star for 23XI Racing moving forward.
Regular Season Champion Faces Pressure for Speed
The Regular Season Champion maintained his 39-point advantage with an 11th-place run at Gateway. While his Hendrick Motorsports team dominated early in the season, they are currently searching for the pace that brought previous success. Having shown signs of improvement at Bristol in recent years and with the team’s historical prowess under playoff stress, there’s hope he can regain his dominant form and safely advance, though the margin for error remains slim.
Christopher Bell Recovers Momentum After Early Setbacks
Christopher Bell managed to finish seventh at Gateway despite having a car with winning potential. This effort preserved a 32-point lead above the elimination line and marked a recovery from his earlier struggles at Darlington. If he can avoid mechanical issues and pit-road errors, Bell’s ability to race near the front at Bristol makes him a strong candidate to safely reach the next round and possibly challenge for even more.
Past Champion Shows Signs of Speed at Gateway
The three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion delivered his best performance of the season at Gateway with a third-place finish. This improved his playoff margin to 28 points, signaling a possible turnaround after a rocky season. Although he has yet to win at Bristol after 16 attempts, his recent improvements and proven ability in high-pressure elimination races make him a driver to watch as the playoffs continue.
Tyler Reddick Holds On Despite Tough Gateway Outing
Tyler Reddick finished 16th at Gateway, which sliced his playoff points cushion to 37 but still kept him above the cutoff. Known for his aggressive driving and toughness, Reddick faces another challenge at Bristol, a track where he has not enjoyed much prior success with only one top 10 in eight starts. To avoid falling below the elimination line, he will need to remain mistake-free and gather stage points this Saturday.
Kevin Harvick Remains in Contention With Gateway Surge
Kevin Harvick, a three-time champion, clawed his way to a fifth-place finish at Gateway, extending his margin over the cutline to 21 points. As one of the most skilled drivers near the bubble, Harvick’s presence adds pressure to competitors who know that his ability to navigate high-stress races could still see him advancing, provided nothing derails his charge at Bristol.
Austin Cindric Faces a Tightrope in Elimination Battle
Austin Cindric managed to stay in 12th position, hanging onto the final playoff advancement spot after Gateway with only an 11-point buffer. Despite entering as the defending Gateway winner, Cindric’s average finish at Bristol is less favorable, which means he will need to rely on both smart strategy and aggressive but controlled driving to preserve his standing past the tricky cutoff race.
Ross Chastain’s Risks Rise After Struggles
Ross Chastain faced setbacks at Gateway, finishing 24th and seeing his playoff margin shrink to only 19 points. Known for his aggressive style, Chastain’s approach could either propel him forward or put his playoff run at risk, making him one of the most unpredictable forces heading into the Bristol elimination race.
Austin Dillon Aims for Bristol Upset
Austin Dillon now sits 11 points below the cutline after Gateway, though his prior top-10 run at Bristol offers a glimmer of hope. His clean track record at Bristol, despite its reputation for chaos, positions him to potentially capitalize on incidents and claw above the elimination line if circumstances align in his favor.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Playoff Path Narrows
Shane van Gisbergen’s 25th-place Gateway finish, combined with a less-than-optimal Darlington result, dropped him to 15 points under the elimination threshold. With minimal experience on NASCAR’s short tracks and no standout runs at Bristol, van Gisbergen will need an extraordinary effort — or a dose of chaos — to keep his championship hopes alive this weekend.
Alex Bowman Faces a Must-Win Situation at Bristol
Alex Bowman’s 26th-place result at Gateway left him trailing by 35 points, turning the Bristol race into a must-win affair. While he has accomplished clutch victories in the past, a mix of inconsistent performances at Bristol, a significant points deficit, and pit crew troubles means his chances for advancement hinge on a dramatic turnaround on Saturday night.
Sophomore Driver’s Playoff Hopes Fade
The sophomore driver’s difficulties continued at Gateway with a 36th-place finish, leaving him 45 points below the cutline. Though short-track racing is part of his pedigree, the steep points gap makes it unlikely for him to advance without an unexpected win at Bristol.
What Could Be Next As the Playoff Field Narrows?
With only one race left before more eliminations, the stakes have soared for drivers on both sides of the playoff cutline. Bubba Wallace’s rise as a Bubba Wallace Championship 4 contender not only redefines the narrative for 23XI Racing but also puts added pressure on top teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske, who are working to protect their spots. Drivers such as Denny Hamlin, already secure in the next round, can now focus on building for deeper playoff runs, while those near the bottom, including Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Bowman, have little margin for error and everything to play for at Bristol Motor Speedway. The elimination race promises high tension, potential surprises, and likely a shakeup in the Championship 4 landscape as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs progress.
