he NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs have entered the high-stakes stretch, with 16 drivers vying across four rounds to claim the ultimate championship. After Race 29 at Bristol, the playoff picture is beginning to crystallize, and the intensity is palpable.
Leading the pack is Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota, holding a +26 advantage in playoff points. Close behind, William Byron and Kyle Larson sit tied at +24 points each in Chevrolet machines, demonstrating the fierce manufacturer battle as the season nears its climax. Christopher Bell (+20) and Ryan Blaney (+19) round out the top five, showing consistency and determination under pressure. Rounding out the current playoff field are Chase Briscoe (+10), Chase Elliott (+5), and Bubba Wallace (+1), all fighting to maintain their championship hopes.
Playoff Top 8 (Advanced Past Charlotte)
| Position | No. | Driver | MFR | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Toyota | +26 |
| 2 | 24 | William Byron | Chevrolet | +24 |
| 3 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Chevrolet | +24 |
| 4 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Toyota | +20 |
| 5 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Ford | +19 |
| 6 | 19 | Chase Briscoe | Toyota | +10 |
| 7 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Chevrolet | +5 |
| 8 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | Toyota | +1 |
Just outside the cutoff, drivers face elimination heartbreak. Austin Cindric (-1), Joey Logano (-2), Ross Chastain (-2), and Tyler Reddick (-3) find themselves on the playoff bubble, with each remaining race critical for survival. With four races left in the Round of 12, every lap, pit stop, and strategy call could decide who advances and who falls short.
Playoff Cutoff (Eliminated After Charlotte)
| Position | No. | Driver | MFR | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2 | Austin Cindric | Ford | -1 |
| 10 | 22 | Joey Logano | Ford | -2 |
| 11 | 1 | Ross Chastain | Chevrolet | -2 |
| 12 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | Toyota | -3 |
ALSO READ: NASCAR Cup Driver Standings: Who Made the Playoffs After Daytona
