NASCAR playoff standings 2026: Updated points, scenarios for final Cup Series spots at Daytona

NASCAR playoff standings 2026: Updated points, scenarios for final Cup Series spots at Daytona originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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After a regular season filled with highlights, the Cup Series is mercifully approaching its crescendo — a 10-race postseason to determine who will hoist NASCAR’s greatest prize, the Cup Series crown.

This year’s playoff format is markedly different from its latest predecessors. The “win-and-in” format gave way to the Chase, popularized in the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s. The new layout rewards consistency as opposed to one-race excellence, offering a new path for riders who routinely place inside the top-five and top-10.

Toyota has shined in lieu of the change thus far — five of the top six performers helm the cockpits of the Japanese manufacturer, including regular-season champion Denny Hamlin.

Further down the standings, things remain compelling. Austin Cindric and Shane van Gisbergen are clinging to postseason berths heading into the final week of the regular season. They have more work to do to lock themselves into the Round of 16 and give themselves a chance at competing for the top-flight’s signature prize.

Only 16 drivers can make it to NASCAR’s biggest stage. Here’s a look at how the postseason standings shake out prior to Saturday’s race at Daytona, the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

MORE: The 8 moments that defined Kyle Busch’s racing life

NASCAR playoffs standings 2026

Below is a current look at the top 16 drivers in the Cup Series playoff standings, based on regular season points.

This section will be updated as the Cup Series campaign nears its conclusion.

RankDriverPointsPoints over cut line1Denny Hamlin1,001+02Ryan Blaney924+03Ty Gibbs880+04Tyler Reddick860+05Christopher Bell738+06Chase Briscoe727+07Kyle Larson708+08Chase Elliott707+09Joey Logano682+010Chris Buescher676+011Carson Hocevar672+012William Byron644+013Daniel Suarez*638+014Bubba Wallace630+7515Austin Cindric599+4416Shane van Gisbergen586+31

* clinched playoff spot

Wallace will effectively clinch a postseason berth by starting Saturday’s regular-season finale. Ryan Preece is the first man out, sitting 31 points behind Van Gisbergen. He’ll need an impressive turnaround — and a major collapse by the road course superstar — to earn a berth in the Sweet 16.

NASCAR playoff race schedule 2026

DateRaceTrackTime (ET)Watch/WinnerSept. 6Southern 500Darlington Raceway5 p.m.USA, DIRECTVSept. 13Enjoy Illinois 300World Wide Technology Raceway3 p.m.USA, DIRECTVSept. 19Bass Pro Shops Night RaceBristol Motor Speedway7:30 p.m.USA, DIRECTVSept. 27Hollywood Casino 400Kansas Speedway3 p.m.USA, DIRECTVOct. 4South Point 400Las Vegas Motor Speedway5:30 p.m.USA, DIRECTVOct. 11Bank of America 400Charlotte Motor Speedway3 p.m.USA, DIRECTVOct. 18Freeway Insurance 500Phoenix Raceway3 p.m.USA, DIRECTVOct. 25Yellawood 500Talladega Superspeedway2 p.m.NBC, fubo, DIRECTVNov. 1Xfinity 500Martinsville Speedway2 p.m.NBC, fubo, DIRECTVNov. 8Cup Series Championship RaceHomestead-Miami Speedway3 p.m.NBC, fubo, DIRECTV