Joey Logano championship hopes remain intact following an eventful Charlotte Roval race, as the Team Penske driver advanced to the next round of playoffs despite fierce competition and elimination pressure. With recent drama reshaping the NASCAR playoff field, drivers and fans now look to the coming Round of 8 battles to see which contender will secure a spot at the Phoenix finale.
Charlotte Roval Race Shakes Up Playoff Field
Shane Van Gisbergen took his fifth win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season at the Charlotte Roval, driving the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. This intense event ended the title aspirations for Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric as they were all cut from the playoffs during the Round of 12. The outcome has set an exciting stage for the remaining playoff contenders, all of whom are chasing championship glory in the ultimate races of the season.
The Battle for the Final Championship Spots Intensifies
The eight remaining contenders, now set for the Round of 8, will compete across three pivotal races to claim a place in the Championship 4 at Phoenix. Key figures such as Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano remain the ones to watch, each bringing their own strengths and accomplishments from previous seasons.
Joey Logano’s Grit Keeps Him in the Hunt
With only one victory and six top-five results this season, Joey Logano managed to clinch the last spot in the Round of 8. The defending Cup Series champion benefitted from a last-lap clash between Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin, which allowed Logano to stay ahead in the standings. Previously, he notched a fourth-place at New Hampshire but struggled thereafter with finishes outside the top 15 at Kansas and Charlotte. Still, Logano has a proven track record of excelling in this late playoff stage, as shown by his past championship runs in 2018, 2022, and 2024 — each of which featured a crucial Round of 8 win. His history suggests he thrives under playoff pressure, especially when a championship hangs in the balance.
Christopher Bell Eyes Another Championship Berth
Christopher Bell stands out among the remaining competitors heading into the Round of 8, following back-to-back sixth-place finishes at New Hampshire and Kansas and a podium at Charlotte Roval. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, piloting the #20, has already secured four wins this season and is chasing his third appearance in the Championship 4 over a four-year stretch. Like Logano, Bell tends to peak in this stage — winning at Martinsville in 2022 to advance, and narrowly missing a Round of 8 victory in Las Vegas last year despite leading the majority of laps. Martinsville, crucial to the playoff outcome, again looms as a potential turning point this season.
Chase Elliott Finds Momentum at Crucial Moment
Chase Elliott appears to be rounding into top form at just the right time, with a third-place at New Hampshire, a vital win at Kansas to secure his advance, and a strong finish at Charlotte Roval. Entering the next playoff round with renewed confidence, Elliott heads into three tracks where he’s historically successful. As a two-time Talladega winner and former Martinsville playoff victor, the Hendrick Motorsports driver aims for a return to the title race for the first time since 2022. However, Las Vegas has proven challenging for Elliott, with only one top-10 in his last five starts there, adding an extra layer of intensity to his upcoming battles.
Ryan Blaney Pursues Another Title Opportunity
Ryan Blaney’s pursuit of a second consecutive appearance in the Championship 4 remains alive after clinching an early victory in the Round of 12 at New Hampshire. Despite finishing outside the top 10 in the subsequent events, the Team Penske driver is known for peaking at the right moments, especially on drafting tracks and at Martinsville. Blaney’s record at Martinsville includes consecutive playoff wins, while his three Talladega victories — including two in playoff races — reinforce his drafting prowess. Las Vegas, however, remains a hurdle, given his recent finishes outside the top 30 at that venue.
Denny Hamlin Leads Playoff Points Entering the Round of 8
Denny Hamlin launches into the Round of 8 as the points leader, holding an eight-point buffer above the cutoff. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver faced challenges in the previous round with two subpar finishes but rebounded with a strong runner-up result at Kansas. Hamlin is among the most consistent drivers, matching Shane Van Gisbergen with five wins this season and tallying thirteen top-five results and six stage wins. Earlier in the year, Hamlin scored a dominant victory at Martinsville, and though he has not won a drafting race since 2020 at Talladega, his overall performance positions him as a top candidate for his first championship. Hamlin’s history at Las Vegas, including a playoff race win in 2021, adds to his potential heading into these decisive contests.
Setting the Stage for the Championship Finale
With the Round of 8 now defined, each of the remaining drivers — from Joey Logano, whose championship hopes continue despite a turbulent season, to others like Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney — brings unique achievements and storylines into the high-stakes races ahead. The drama and unpredictability that have characterized this playoff run set up a thrilling road to Phoenix. NASCAR fans can expect intense competition as the top drivers in the sport battle not only for victory, but for their shot at the season’s ultimate prize.
