DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Heading into Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Int’l Speedway, which ends the regular season for the NASCAR Cup Series, 15 drivers have secured playoff spots.
One position remains available and would go to a playoff eligible driver who wins his first race of the season or the highest-ranking driver in points at the conclusion of the race who is not already locked into the field should a repeat winner, Kevin Harvick or Brad Keselowski claim the victory. Harvick and Keselowski are already guaranteed a spot based on their points positions.
William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are playoff bound thanks to having won races this season.
Seventeen drivers have a chance at the 16th and final playoff position.
Bubba Wallace is currently in the 16th spot based on points, leading Ty Gibbs by 32 markers. Wallace would likely be in on points with a repeat winner, but he can also win his way into the field.
Here’s looking at the 17 drivers who head to Daytona on the outside looking in:
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports No. 9
Chase Elliott missed seven races because of a broken leg suffered in a snowboarding accident, but still earned nine top-10 finishes in 17 starts aboard the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9. The 2020 series champion has never won at Daytona, but won last October’s superspeedway race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing No. 23
Driving the 23XI Racing Toyota, Bubba Wallace will have a lot to think about heading into this race.
He’s 32 points above the cutline to make the playoffs on points, but a victory would guarantee him a spot in the field for the first time in his career. Wallace has four-top five finishes at Daytona, including three runner-up efforts and his first Cup Series victory came at Talladega, so he’s a talented superspeedway driver.
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing No. 3
Driving his grandfather’s famous No. 3 Chevrolet, Austin Dillon has had a miserable season and ranks only 29th in points. But Dillon was in a similar spot last August when he drove to victory at Daytona and stole a playoff position. He’s a skilled superspeedway racer with two wins and nine top-10 finishes at Daytona.
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports No. 24
Alex Bowman missed three races in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet because of an injury suffered in a sprint car crash. He’s winless for the first time since 2018, but has seven top-10 finishes this year. Bowman has never won at Daytona or Talladega.
A.J. Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing No. 16
A.J. Allmendinger has never won a Cup Series race on a superspeedway, though, he has won at Daytona in the Xfinity Series. Allmendinger has only five top-10 finishes this year, but one of them was a sixth-place run in the Daytona 500.
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54
Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs has seven top-10 finishes in his rookie season driving for his grandfather, Joe Gibbs, in the Cup Series. All three of Gibbs’ teammates are already locked into the playoffs.
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10
Aric Almirola ranks only 25th in the standings with two top-10 efforts this year, but he’s a proven superspeedway winner with single victories at both Daytona and Talladega.
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing No. 99
Daniel Suarez and the Trackhouse No. 99 have been just a beat off all season.
While he hasn’t won a race or run consistently at the front, Suarez does have three top-five and eight top-10 finishes this season. Suarez finished seventh at Daytona and ninth at Talladega earlier this year.
Austin Cindric, Team Penske No. 2
One might say Austin Cindric has had a sophomore slump after earning rookie-of-the-year honors and winning the Daytona 500 last year. Cindric has only three top-three efforts this year.
Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports No. 38
Todd Gilliland could be considered a dark horse at Daytona, as Front Row Motorsports has enjoyed success at the 2.5-mile track with lead driver Michael McDowell winning the 2021 Daytona 500 and David Ragan having claimed a victory there. Gilliland finished 10th at Talladega this year.
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14
With six top-10 finishes this season, Chase Briscoe has been up and down all season.
However, one of the ups was a fourth-place run at Talladega.
Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports No. 7
Corey LaJoie has never won a NASCAR Cup Series race, but his best opportunities have been on superspeedways.
He has three top-10 finishes at Daytona and one at Talladega.
Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing No. 31
Justin Haley’s only Cup Series victory came in a rain-shortened race at Daytona in 2019. He has five top-10 finishes this season.
Ryan Preece, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41
With only one top-10 finish, Ryan Preece has struggled for consistency this season, but he has three career-top 10 efforts at Daytona.
Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club No. 43
Erik Jones earned his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona in 2018, but the Legacy team has struggled this season, with Jones amassing five top-10 finishes.
Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing No. 21
In the midst of a forgettable campaign, Harrison Burton has only two top-10 finishes this season.
He has no top-10 finishes in seven starts at Daytona and Talladega.
Ty Dillon, Spire Motorsports No. 77
Ty Dillon hasn’t been in contention anywhere this season and has no top-10 finishes this year.