After a dramatic conclusion at Richmond Raceway, Austin Dillon secured his spot in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, becoming the 13th driver to claim a victory this season. This leaves only three playoff positions available. Here’s the current situation for the bubble drivers post-Richmond:
- Martin Truex Jr. (+78)
Despite a blown engine resulting in a disappointing 37th-place finish, Truex holds a 78-point cushion with just three regular-season races left. This should be enough to secure his postseason spot, but if three new winners emerge in the next few races, Truex could be in jeopardy, making his upcoming performance at Michigan crucial. - Ty Gibbs (+18)
Gibbs’ season took another hit with a 22nd-place finish on Sunday. He hasn’t secured a top-10 finish since July 7 in Chicago, and with momentum dwindling, a strong result at Michigan is vital for the No. 54 team. Previous engine failures at Pocono and Indianapolis are becoming more concerning, and the 21-year-old driver needs a standout performance soon. - Bubba Wallace (+3)
Wallace continued his impressive streak at Richmond, finishing fourth and staying above the playoff cut line. Gaining 10 points, Wallace now has four top-10 finishes in the last five races. With three favorable tracks ahead, Wallace has a solid chance to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. - Chris Buescher (-3)
Buescher’s night didn’t go as planned, losing 20 points to the cut line and finishing 18th due to pit road issues. His recent form has been declining, but he did win at Michigan and Daytona — the next two races on the schedule — last season. - Ross Chastain (-3)
A fifth-place finish brought some relief for the No. 1 team, which has struggled with speed this season. However, Chastain still lost 10 points to the cut line on Sunday and now faces the possibility of missing the Cup Series playoffs for the first time since 2021. Consistency will be key if he wants to make the postseason. - Chase Briscoe (-102)
Briscoe, along with the drivers below him, must secure a win to make the 2024 playoffs. However, a lackluster 21st-place finish by the No. 14 team doesn’t inspire much confidence. With Stewart-Haas Racing appearing to wind down, Briscoe’s lack of speed is becoming more apparent. - Kyle Busch (-122)
Watching his teammate secure a playoff spot was likely tough for Busch, who is also in a must-win situation with three races remaining. A 12th-place finish showed some improvement, but early pit road issues and a lack of speed suggest that Busch won’t turn his season around quickly. The No. 8 team might be best off focusing on Daytona.
