In a performance industry where the best drivers and automotive minds alike seek whatever advantage they can, the competitive balance of NASCAR can vary greatly from year to year. Some seasons are dominated by a single driver or a select group of drivers, while others feature a more level playing field and see the gates to Victory Lane swung wide open for any and all drivers in the field.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, the 2021 season has fallen into the latter category. From the time the season began with an upset victory in the Daytona 500, the Cup Series has seen an exceptional level of parity, with a total of 15 different drivers having visited Victory Lane. Two races into the NASCAR playoffs, the scales have tilted in the favor of Joe Gibbs Racing: After Denny Hamlin held off Kyle Larson to win a thrilling Southern 500 at Darlington, Martin Truex Jr. led a JGR 1-2-3 finish in taking the checkered flag at Richmond Raceway.
With one race left in the round of 16 before four drivers are eliminated from playoff contention, here is a full look at the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, including the driver standings and schedule.
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NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Standings
1. #11 – Denny Hamlin (1 win)
2. #19 – Martin Truex Jr. (1 win)
3. #5 – Kyle Larson (Advanced)
4. #22 – Joey Logano (+40)
5. #12 – Ryan Blaney (+28)
6. #4 – Kevin Harvick (+25)
7. #9 – Chase Elliott (+19)
8. #20 – Christopher Bell (+17)
9. #2 – Brad Keselowski (+13)
10. #18 – Kyle Busch (+8)
11. #10 – Aric Almirola (+3)
12. #1 – Kurt Busch (+0)
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13. #48 – Alex Bowman (-0)
14. #8 – Tyler Reddick (-5)
15. #24 – William Byron (-18)
16. #34 – Michael McDowell (-38)
NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Schedule
Round of 16
- Sunday, September 5: Cook-Out Southern 500 – Darlington Raceway – Winner: Denny Hamlin
- Saturday, September 11: Salute to American Heroes 400 – Richmond Raceway – Winner: Martin Truex Jr.
- Saturday, September 18: Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race – Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: NBCSN
Round of 12
- Sunday, September 26: South Point 400 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: NBCSN
- Sunday, October 3: YellaWood 500 – Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. ET | TV: NBC
- Sunday, October 10: Bank of America ROVAL 400 – Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval | 2 p.m. ET | TV: NBC
Round of 8
- Sunday, October 17: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 – Texas Motor Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | TV: NBC
- Sunday, October 24: Hollywood Casino 400 – Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | TV: NBCSN
- Sunday, October 31: Xfinity 500 – Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | TV: NBC
Championship Race
Sunday, November 7: Season Finale 500 – Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. ET | TV: NBC
