Why Only One Driver Secured Playoff Spot_ In a streak that echoes his dominance on the track, William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports secured his second victory of the season at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), marking his third consecutive trip to victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Byron’s winning momentum kicked off early in the season with a triumphant performance at the Daytona 500 held at Daytona International Speedway last month. Joining him in the winner’s circle this season are Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing Team (Atlanta Motor Speedway), Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing respectively (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway), and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Bristol Motor Speedway).
While the modern playoff system operates under a “win and in” principle, Byron stands out as the sole driver currently locked into this year’s postseason, clinching his spot at COTA rather than in the season opener at Daytona.
Although history has shown that playoff eligibility often aligns with race victories, exceptions have occurred, notably with Joey Logano’s encumbered win at Richmond Raceway in 2017 and Kurt Busch’s withdrawal from the postseason due to injury at Kansas Speedway in 2022. Nonetheless, the playoff landscape is not solely dictated by race wins, as the regular season champion and top 15 drivers in wins also secure spots.
With Byron’s victory, the scenario for playoff qualification intensifies, highlighting the importance of points for drivers seeking a postseason berth. As the season unfolds, each race becomes pivotal in determining the playoff grid, with tiebreakers and points allocations shaping the outcome.
Looking ahead to the seventh race on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule at Richmond Raceway, the question looms: will another driver secure a playoff berth, or will a new contender emerge victorious in the Toyota Owners 400? Tune in to Fox for live coverage of the race on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. ET via FuboTV to catch all the action firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”)
Why do other cars race in NASCAR playoffs?
Larson emphasized that during any playoff race, drivers who haven’t secured qualification still possess the potential to emerge victorious. This fosters additional opportunities for competition and self-improvement, ensuring fairness for all contenders within the final 16.
How does Nascar work?
The Cup Series comprises approximately 30 regular season races annually, leading into the relatively recent playoff system. Following the regular season’s conclusion by the end of August, a champion for the regular season is determined. Subsequently, the Round of 16 commences, featuring the regular season champion and 15 other race winners or top point earners.
Do all drivers race in playoffs?
As mentioned earlier, 16 drivers qualify for the NASCAR playoffs. This includes the top 15 drivers with the most wins and the regular season champion. In cases where there are fewer than 16 winners, the winless drivers with the highest overall points standings fill the remaining slots in the playoff field.
Do Nascar drivers make money?
NASCAR drivers typically receive a base salary from their teams, ranging from $50,000 for developmental drivers to as much as $10 million for acclaimed drivers such as Brad Keselowski or Kasey Kahne. Kyle Busch’s compensation will be discussed further on.
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