How do the NASCAR playoffs work? The regular season for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series is drawing to a close, which means it’s time for racing fans to get excited about the NASCAR playoffs. Here, we’ll provide you with a guide for NASCAR’s playoffs so it can be an entertaining month of racing for you.
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs feature 16 drivers all competing for the crown of the best driver in racing. There will be 10 races, with the field of the best drivers all season slowly narrowed down to a final four. Finally, a Cup Series champion will be decided on Nov. 5 at Phoenix.
Related: NASCAR standings
Here’s everything you need to know about the NASCAR playoffs, including the playoff picture and schedule.
NASCAR playoff standings today: Latest NASCAR playoff picture
Here are the latest NASCAR playoff standings entering the playoffs.
| Rank | Driver | Points | Playoff Points | Wins | Top 5s |
| 1 | William Byron | 2036 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| 2 | Martin Truex Jr | 2036 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 2025 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Chris Buescher | 2021 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | 2019 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 6 | Kyle Larson | 2017 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| 7 | Christopher Bell | 2014 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Ross Chastain | 2011 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 9 | Brad Keselowski | 2010 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Tyler Reddick | 2009 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | Joey Logano | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 12 | Ryan Blaney | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Michael McDowell | 2007 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 14 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 2005 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | Kevin Harvick | 2004 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 16 | Bubba Wallace | 2000 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
When do the NASCAR playoffs start?
The NASCAR Playoffs start on Sunday, September 23 with the Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
NASCAR playoffs schedule 2023
Here is the full NASCAR playoff schedule, with all the information you need to know about each leg of NASCAR’s postseason cycle.
| Date | Race | Location | Time (ET) | TV Info |
| Sunday, Sep. 3 | Cup Series at Darlington | Darlington Raceway | 6:00 PM | USA |
| Sunday, Sep. 10 | Cup Series at Kansas | Kansas Speedway | 3:00 PM | USA |
| Saturday, Sep. 16 | Cup Series at Bristol | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 PM | USA |
| Sunday, Sep. 24 | Cup Series at Texas | Texas Motor Speedway | 3:30 PM | USA |
| Sunday, Oct. 1 | Cup Series at Talladega | Talladega Superspeedway | 2:00 PM | NBC |
| Sunday, Oct. 8 | Cup Series at Charlotte | Charlotte Speedway Road Course | 2:00 PM | NBC |
| Sunday, Oct. 15 | Cup Series at Las Vegas | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 2:30 PM | NBC |
| Sunday, Oct. 22 | Cup Series at Miami | Homestead-Miami Speedway | 2:30 PM | NBC |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | Cup Series at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | 2:00 PM | NBC |
| Sunday, Nov. 5 | Cup Series at Phoenix | Phoenix Raceway | 3:00 PM | NBC |
Related: NASCAR schedule
NASCAR playoffs FAQ
How does NASCAR playoffs work 2023?
The NASCAR playoffs start with a field of 16 drivers competing in the Round of 16, which begins with the Cup Series at Darlington on Sep. 3. The drivers are seeded based on their number of playoff points and wins during the regular season.
In the Group of 16 stage, races are held at Darlington, Kansas and Bristol. All 16 drivers then compete in the three races for the first stage, with the winners automatically advancing to the following stage. The remaining spots are determined by total playoff points.
During the Round of 16, there will be a 12-driver cutoff line. The four drivers who fall below the points threshold are eliminated, with the top 12 drivers advancing to the second stage. At the start of each round, point totals are reset, In the Round of 12, all 12 drivers compete in the three races for one of the eight spots in the third round. Following the elimination of the four-lowest scoring drivers, NASCAR advances to the Round of 8 with its eight best drivers competing in three races for one of four spots in the championship.
The NASCAR championship is a winner-take-tall race, with all four drivers racing to the finish line at Phoenix Raceway to be crowned NASCAR’s champion for the 2023 season.
NASCAR playoffs points system
- Win Stage 1 or Stage 2 in a race: 1 playoff point per stage win
- Win a race: 5 points
- Regular-Season Championship: 15 playoff points
- Second place in Regular season: 10 playoff points
- Third Place in Regular Season: 8 playoff points
- Fourth Place in Regular Season: 7 playoff points
- Fifth – 10th place: 6 playoff points to 1 playoff point, descending
What are the playoff rounds for NASCAR?
There are four rounds in the NASCAR Playoffs, all culminating in the path to naming the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Here’s an initial breakdown of the four playoff rounds, you can find more information above.
- Round of 16: Cup Series at Darlington (Sep. 3), Cup Series at Kansas (Sep. 10), Bristol (Sep. 16)
- Round of 12: Cup Series at Texas (Sep. 24), Cup Series at Talladega (Oct.1), Charlotte (Oct. 8)
- Round of 8: Cup Series at Las Vegas (Oct. 15), Cup Series at Miami (Oct. 22), Martinsville (Oct. 29)
- Round of 4: Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 5)
Related: NASCAR results
How many races in the NASCAR playoffs?
There are 10 races in the NASCAR playoffs, beginning with the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington on Sunday, Sep. 3 and ending with the NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 3 PM ET.
Related: Best NASCAR drivers of all time
Is Kevin Harvick out of the playoffs?
Kevin Harvick is in the NASCAR playoffs after securing a top-16 spot in the standings at Watkins Glen, locking him into the playoffs along with Brad Keselowski.
Is Kyle Busch out of the NASCAR playoffs?
Kyle Busch is in the NASCAR playoffs 2023. Busch automatically qualified for the NASCAR playoffs because of his win at the Cup Series at California in February. He also recorded a win at the Talladega Superspeedway in April, with his two victories guaranteeing a playoff spot even if 17 drivers won races this season.
Is Kurt Busch out of the NASCAR playoffs?
Kurt Busch is not competing in the NASCAR playoff after he retired from full-time racing following the 2022 season. Because he’s no longer a full-time driver, Busch no longer qualifies for the standings.
Is Bubba Wallace in the playoffs?
Bubba Wallace would qualify for the NASCAR playoffs if the regular season ended today. However, he must still qualify by either winning the final race next Sunday or finishing with more points than Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suarez.
Has Bubba Wallace ever made the playoffs?
Bubba Wallace made the NASCAR Playoffs for the first time in 2023.
What are the playoffs rounds for NASCAR?
- Round of 16 – 3 races
- Round of 12 – 3 races
- Round of 8 – 3 races
- NASCAR Championship – 1 race
Is there a playoff for NASCAR?
Yes, the NASCAR playoffs feature 16 drivers competing for the Cup Series Championship in a multi-stage playoff. You can find more information about the NASCAR playoff field further below.
Is Chase Elliott out of the playoffs?
Chase Elliott is not in the NASCAR playoffs in 2023.
What is the name of the NASCAR Playoffs?
The NASCAR playoffs are often referred to as the Chase for the Cup, tying into the drivers competing to be named the Cup Series champion.
Who is favored to win the NASCAR Championship 2023?
Martin Truex Jr. (+400) is favored to win the NASCAR Championship 2023, followed by Kyle Larson (+650), Denny Hamlin (+650) and William Byron (+650). Kyle Busch (+800) and Christopher Bell have the next best odds, per BetMGM.
NASCAR Championship odds
- Martin Truex Jr – +425
- William Byron – +500
- Kyle Larson – +600
- Denny Hamlin – +600
- Kyle Busch – +800
- Christopher Bell – +1200
- Ryan Blaney – +1600
- Joey Logano – +1600
- Ross Chastain – +1600
- Chris Buescher – +1800
- Tyler Reddick – +2000
- Kevin Harvick – +2000
- Brad Keselowski – +2000
- Bubba Wallace – +6000
- Chase Elliott – +10000
When is the NASCAR championship?
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship is on Sunday, November 5 at 3 PM ET on NBC. The NASCAR championship is being held at Phoenix Raceway for the Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series. You can watch the NASCAR Cup Series Championship on NBC.
Who races in NASCAR playoffs?
The NASCAR playoffs consists of 16 drivers, including the regular-season champion and the 15 best drivers based on points accumulated during the regular season of the Cup Series.
As of August 17, 13 drivers are locked into playoff spots. Martin Truex Jr. William Byron, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chris Beuscher, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have qualified for the playoffs.
What happens f 17 drivers wn in NASCAR?
If there are 17 race winners during the regular season, then the NASCAR playoff standings are determined by a variety of factors.
- Drivers with multiple wins automatically qualify for the NASCAR playoffs
- Driver with lowest points total and fewest wins is eliminated
