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The common season is full, and now there are solely 10 races standing between the highest 16 drivers within the NASCAR Cup Series and the championship trophy. Here is all the pieces to know earlier than the opening spherical kicks off at Darlington Raceway on Sunday (6 p.m. ET on USA Network).
The discipline
Sixteen drivers head to Darlington with championship goals. Some have achieved this aim in earlier seasons, others have fallen brief and one is making an attempt for the primary time. This creates a various lineup with 10 organizations represented.
Past champs – Brad Keselowski (2012), Kevin Harvick (2014), Kyle Busch (2015, ‘19), Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Joey Logano (2018, ’22), Kyle Larson (2021).
Past playoff contenders – Chris Buescher (second look), Michael McDoeffectively (second look), Christopher Bell (third look), Denny Hamlin (seventeenth look), William Byron (fifth look), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (second look), Ryan Blaney (seventh look), Tyler Reddick (third look), Ross Chastain (second look).
First-timer – Bubba Wallace competes within the playoffs for the primary time as a Cup Series driver
Playoff Standings
Playoff Schedule
All instances Eastern
Round of 16
Darlington Raceway – Sunday, Sept. 3 (6 p.m. on USA Network)
Kansas Speedway – Sunday, Sept. 10 (3 p.m. on USA Network)
Bristol Motor Speedway – Saturday, Sept. 16 (7:30 p.m. on USA Network)
Round of 12
Texas Motor Speedway – Sunday, Sept. 24 (3:30 p.m. on USA Network)
Talladega Superspeedway – Sunday, Oct. 1 (2 p.m. on NBC)
Charlotte Roval – Sunday, Oct. 8 (2 p.m. on NBC)
Round of 8
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Sunday, Oct. 15 (2:30 p.m. on NBC)
Homestead-Miami Speedway – Sunday, Oct. 22 (2:30 p.m. on NBC)
Martinsville Speedway – Sunday, Oct. 29 (2 p.m. on NBC)
Championship Round
Phoenix Raceway – Sunday, Nov. 5 (3 p.m. on NBC and Peacock)
The significance of the regular-season championship
The battle for the ultimate playoff spot was the main focus heading into Daytona, however the regular-season championship deserved equal consideration. Martin Truex Jr. captured this prize and secured 15 playoff factors. Denny Hamlin completed second within the regular-season standings and secured 10 playoff factors.
Do these 5 additional playoff factors make a distinction over the course of 10 weeks? Let’s look at the historical past.
NASCAR launched the regular-season championship in 2017. Seven drivers have received the award. Only one of many earlier six has failed to achieve the Championship 4.
2017 – Truex received the regular-season championship. He reached the Championship 4 after successful at Chicagoland Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway. He capped off the 12 months with a win at Homestead-Miami Speedway to say his championship.
2018 – Kyle Busch received the regular-season championship. He reached the Championship 4 after successful races at Richmond Raceway and Phoenix Raceway. He completed fourth within the ultimate race whereas Joey Logano received the primary title of his profession.
2019 – Busch received the regular-season championship for the second time. He didn’t win a race in the course of the first three rounds of the playoffs, however he reached the Championship 4. He received the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to seize his second Cup title.
2020 – Kevin Harvick received seven races to lock up the regular-season championship. He added two extra wins in the course of the playoffs, however he fell in need of the Championship 4. Chase Elliott locked up his spot within the ultimate spherical by successful the elimination race after which received the championship one week later at Phoenix.
2021 – Kyle Larson received the regular-season championship after successful 5 races. He reached the Championship 4 after successful 4 races within the first three playoff rounds. He received his tenth race of the season at Phoenix and secured his first Cup title.
2022 – Elliott received 4 regular-season races and the regular-season championship. He received his fifth race of the season at Talladega. He reached the Championship 4 for the third consecutive season however completed fourth within the standings whereas Logano received his second Cup title.
2023 Race Wins
5 — William Byron
3 — Martin Truex Jr., Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch
2 — Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson
1 — Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Michael McDoeffectively, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
0 — Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Bubba Wallace
2023 Stage Wins
8 — William Byron
6 — Martin Truex Jr.
5 — Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain
4 — Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick
3 — Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney
2 — Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Michael McDoeffectively
1 — Chris Buescher, Kevin Harvick
0 — Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Bubba Wallace
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