There are still 18 drivers mathematically eligible to win the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship, and that number will drop to 16 upon the conclusion of Saturday night's regular season-ending Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Saturday's 160-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked oval in Daytona Beach, Florida is set to solidify the first 16-driver postseason field since NASCAR reverted back to an iteration of the "Chase" format that was used from 2004 to 2013. Over the offseason, the decision was made to abandon the "win and in" format that was used from 2014 to 2025.
A total of 13 drivers have mathematically clinched playoff spots, leaving three spots up for grabs heading into Saturday's race. Of the five championship-eligible drivers who have not yet secured playoff spots, which three will be a part of the postseason?
While every seed other than the No. 1 seed, which belongs to Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin after he sealed the regular season championship this past weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, remains up for grabs, this tracker is based strictly on the three spots that remain open and the five drivers who have not clinched.
Follow along with our updates throughout the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
Total points
Rank | Name | Points | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|
14 | Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota | 651 | 46 |
15 | Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford | 631 | 26 |
16 | Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford | 622 | 17 |
ELIMINATED | Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | 605 | -17 |
ELIMINATED | Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford | 543 | -79 |
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is being shown live on NBC from Daytona International Speedway. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don't miss any of the action from the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale!
Add us as a preferred source on Google