NASCAR Cup Series playoff field is set. Who made the postseason after Daytona finale?
With the regular season now in the books, the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are set.
Bubba Wallace moved into the 16-car playoff picture. That was the final open spot entering Saturday’s race, which was ultimately won by Chris Buescher.
The Cup postseason begins next weekend at Darlington, with the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m.
Barring any post-Daytona penalties or disqualifications, here are the 16 drivers who have clinched spots in the Cup Series playoffs.
NASCAR Cup Series playoff field
William Byron, Chevy, Hendrick Motorsports: The driver of the No. 24 car’s recent win at Watkins Glen on Aug. 20 was the Charlotte native’s field-best fifth of the season.
Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing: The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has made three trips to Victory Lane in 2023 — Dover, Sonoma and New Hampshire — and secured the regular-season championship on Saturday. The 43-year-old driver’s success ultimately pushed him to return to Cup Series racing in 2024 after debating retirement for most of the season.
Kyle Busch, Chevy, Richard Childress Racing: The two-time Cup Series champion has three wins in his first season racing with Richard Childress Racing. Busch’s win at Fontana in February meant that he’d won a Cup race in each of the past 19 seasons, breaking a tie with Richard Petty for most all-time.
Kyle Larson, Chevy, Hendrick Motorsports: The driver of the No. 5 car has a pair of wins — at Richmond and Martinsville — and a field-best 10 top-five finishes this season.
Chris Buescher, Ford, RFK Racing: Buescher recently won back-to-back races in Richmond on July 30 and Michigan on Aug. 6. Those wins not only stamped the RFK Racing driver into the playoff picture — it also lifted him into the championship contention conversation.
Denny Hamlin, Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing: A two-time winner this season, the co-owner of 23XI Racing finished atop the field at Kansas City and Pocono.
Christopher Bell, Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing: With 13 finishes in the top 10 this season, Bell, who won at Bristol on April 9, returns to the playoffs. Can the 28-year-old driver make as much noise in the postseason as he did last year — when he won twice en route to a Cinderella-of-sorts Championship 4 run?
Ross Chastain, Chevy, Trackhouse Racing: A victory at the Ally 400 in Nashville on June 25 punched the driver of the No. 1 car’s ticket to the playoffs.
Ryan Blaney, Ford, Team Penske: Outside of Blaney’s May 29 win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Team Penske driver has placed in the top 10 12 times this season.
Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 23XI Racing: The No. 45 car won at Circuit of the Americas on March 26. He’s in his first season competing with 23XI Racing after three seasons with Richard Childress Racing, and he’s brought his road-racing prowess with him.
Joey Logano, Ford, Team Penske: Last year’s Cup Series champion, Logano hasn’t won since early spring, but his victory at the Atlanta Motor Speedway spring race locked him into the playoff picture.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevy, JTG Daugherty: The No. 47 car’s only win this season was a big and historic one — the JTG Daugherty Racing driver won the Daytona 500.
Michael McDowell, Ford, Front Row Motorsports: The No. 34 car recently won the Verizon 200 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The win was instantly considered one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Brad Keselowski, Ford, RFK Racing: The No. 6 car hasn’t won this year, but 10 top-10 finishes have the RFK Racing driver in the playoff picture based on points.
Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 23XI Racing: The No. 23 car secured his first career playoff appearance, earning the final playoff spot off points.