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NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Clinch Scenarios

Already Clinched

The following 13 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon and Cole Custer.

Can clinch via points

If there is a new winner, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 6th winless driver in the standings.

  • Clint Bowyer: Would clinch with 3 points (so he could clinch as early as the end of Stage 1)
  • Matt DiBenedetto: Would clinch with 51 points
  • William Byron: Could only clinch with help
  • Jimmie Johnson: Could only clinch with help

If there is a repeat winner, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 7th winless driver in the standings.  They would also clinch if there was a new winner among (Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Matt DiBenedetto or William Byron) and being ahead of the 6th winless driver in the standings.

  • Clint Bowyer: Would clinch regardless of finish
  • Matt DiBenedetto: Would clinch with 47 points
  • William Byron: Would clinch with 52 points
  • Jimmie Johnson: Could only clinch with help
  • Erik Jones: Could only clinch with help

Can clinch via win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

  • Clint Bowyer
  • Matt DiBenedetto
  • William Byron
  • Jimmie Johnson
  • Erik Jones
  • Tyler Reddick
  • Christopher Bell
  • Chris Buescher
  • Darrell Wallace Jr.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • Michael McDowell
  • Ryan Newman
  • John Hunter Nemechek
  • Ty Dillon
  • Matt Kenseth
  • Corey Lajoie
  • Ryan Preece

The following driver could clinch with a win and some help clinching a Top 30 position:

  • Daniel Suarez

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