Sixteen Drivers, One Champion: NASCAR Playoffs Set for 2025

The field is locked, and the Bill France Cup is on the line. Sixteen drivers head into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, with the 10-race sprint starting next week at Darlington. Here’s how they line up, from top seed to the final man in.

The Round of 16 takes in races at Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, and after that the bottom four drivers without a win will drop out to m ake the Round of 12.

2025 NASCAR Playoff Seedings

1. William Byron – 2032 points – 2 Wins
The Regular Season Champion has been consistent all year, with wins at the Daytona 500 and Iowa. Rarely outside the top five in speed and race execution, Byron enters as the benchmark. If he keeps that form, Phoenix is within reach.

2. Kyle Larson – 2032 points – 3 Wins
Larson matched Byron on points and brings wins at Homestead, Bristol and Kansas. A proven big-race performer, Larson’s only weakness is early-round chaos. Survive the cut races and he’ll be the favourite at Phoenix.

3. Denny Hamlin – 2029 points – 4 Wins
Four wins this season, including Darlington and Dover, prove Hamlin has the speed. Still chasing his first Cup title, the veteran is primed for a serious run. If he survives Round 1 cleanly, he could be unstoppable.

4. Ryan Blaney – 2026 points – 2 Wins
The Daytona thriller gave him momentum and a handy points bonus. Blaney has two wins and is hitting form at the right time. The 2023 champion is a live chance to get a second Cup.

5. Christopher Bell – 2023 points – 3 Wins
Three wins and a history of stepping up in Playoff crunch time. Bell has twice reached the Championship 4 and knows how to manage pressure. His mix of short track and road course form makes him dangerous.

6. Shane van Gisbergen – 2022 points – 4 Wins
Four road course wins in his rookie season gave SVG a Playoff buffer. Ovals remain a steep learning curve, but the Charlotte Roval in Round 2 could be his ticket to progress. The Kiwi is the wildcard of the grid who is getting better on the ovals at each outing.

7. Chase Elliott – 2013 points – 1 Win
A steady year with one win and trademark consistency. Elliott rarely DNFs, which will help him through the elimination rounds. Needs to lift to match Byron and Larson but has the experience to do it.

8. Chase Briscoe – 2010 points – 1 Win
The move to Joe Gibbs Racing has paid off, with a Pocono win and career-best form. Twelve top 10s already, and Phoenix is one of his better tracks. A dark horse for a deep run.

9. Bubba Wallace – 2008 points – 1 Win
The Brickyard 400 win got him here, only the second Playoff appearance of his career. Kansas and Talladega suit his style, but he’ll need big results away from those venues to stay alive.

10. Austin Cindric – 2008 points – 1 Win
A Talladega win put him in, but his average finish is nearly 20th. Needs Gateway form to keep moving, otherwise this Playoff stint will be short.

11. Ross Chastain – 2007 points – 1 Win
Won the Coca-Cola 600, but his season has been up and down. Aggression is his strength and weakness. If he channels it right, he’ll get through Darlington and Bristol. If not, he could be gone early.

12. Joey Logano – 2007 points – 1 Win
The two-time champion has looked off the pace all season. Just one win at Texas and not much consistency. But this is Logano — if he finds a spark, he can still go deep.

13. Josh Berry – 2006 points – 1 Win
The Vegas win in March kept him in the mix, but since then he’s been nowhere. Few top 10s, little momentum, and facing an uphill fight. Unlikely to survive Round 1.

14. Tyler Reddick – 2006 points – 0 Wins
Winless, but good enough on points to get in. Usually strong at Darlington and the Roval, but hasn’t looked sharp enough to threaten. Needs a breakthrough drive to stay alive.

15. Austin Dillon – 2005 points – 1 Win
Scored a Richmond win to lock himself in, but that was the highlight of a flat season. Without another shock performance, he’ll be gone early.

16. Alex Bowman – 2002 points – 0 Wins
Backed into the Playoffs after Blaney’s Daytona win saved his season. Has been patchy at best, but seven top 10s in the back half of the year show some fight. Needs miracles in Round 1.

Sixteen start the journey, but only four will reach Phoenix with a shot at the Cup. Byron and Larson set the pace, Hamlin and Blaney carry momentum, and SVG looms as the wildcard. The 2025 Playoffs start next Sunday at Darlington with the iconic Southern 500, and the road to glory begins.