After two long weeks, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to action this weekend at Richmond Raceway. The looming calendar and season change dominated the headlines during the Olympic break, but attention is now turning to the race track. With just four races left in the regular season, all eyes will be on the drivers fighting for their playoff spots, and right now it’s very hard to tell who will make the cut and who will fail.
Former HMS crew chief Steve Letarte and radio announcer Todd Gordon shared their views on the drivers competing for playoff spots. Chris Buescher was considered a serious contender to qualify for the playoffs, but there were concerns about drivers like Bubba Wallace and even Ty Gibbs.
Leaning on points can be harmful for drivers competing for the playoffs
After 22 Cup Series competitions in 2024, we have a total of 12 different winners so far, meaning that only four playoff spots are now up for grabs. Martin Truex Jr. he is the only driver expected to improve further, although he did not score a win in the next four races. He has a 108-point lead off the grid, but things are complicated for Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs and Ross Chastain.
Wallace is seven points off the grid, while the young JGR driver has lost his cushion and could be in trouble in the event of another race winner. Sharing a similar sentiment, Letarte said: “Yes, Ty Gibbs looks good in the points, but with a new winner, which I believe could happen at Daytona, it changes the whole perspective of these drivers who scored points.” His co -host, Todd Gordon, added that he sees Chris Buescher taking the final spot. Especially on tracks like Daytona and Darlington, which are his strengths: “Yeah, if you look now, I’d say you see Chris Buescher being the last guy. Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace are trying to chase him. We Daytona and Darlington; you can have a winner out there.
Bubba Wallace finds himself in a similar situation to last year, where it all came down to the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Buescher’s win helped him qualify for the playoffs, but this time the stakes are even higher, especially given the tight competition.
Speaking of the external winner, there are several strong contenders who could cause a big surprise and, in doing so, completely change the scenario of who is chosen for the last 16. Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe and Josh Berry could change the dynamics of the playoff race
Banking on points to reach the Cup Series playoff stage is a precarious position. Although the four drivers mentioned are expected to fight for the remaining places, nothing can be said for sure. Although Rowdy has hit new lows with the RCR team this season, a win is not impossible for him at a track like Daytona. In fact, the only joy he had behind the wheel of Chevrolet no. 8 was during the superspeedway races at the beginning of the season. That includes his best result of P3 in Atlanta. The two-time champion is in trouble, but he’s certainly not out yet, as he has four chances to save the sinking ship. Chase Briscoe had a good chance for points until he was announced as the new Joe Gibbs Racing driver to take over the No. 19 in 2025. After a second place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, he just didn’t manage to get good results.
This is his last appearance with Stewart Haas Racing which closes at the end of the year. So a win and a qualification for the play-offs would be a nice farewell gesture from the driver to his team. This might be a cheap pick, but new SHR driver Josh Berry could wreak havoc in the playoff battle with an upset win. He had a third place finish at Darlington in the spring race and was pretty solid on the short track ovals.
The fact that he has the support of Rodney Childers also adds to his case, and the veteran crew chief expressed the team’s ultimate goal of no. 4: help Berry win this season. Who knows if victory can come in the next four races? As drivers battle for points and wins in a desperate bid to make the playoffs, it should provide some high-octane racing action. And the fans are all for it, considering they haven’t been to a NASCAR race in the last two weeks.
