Clinching Scenarios: Cup Series – Daytona

It all comes down to this. There is 1 race left before the playoffs with only 1 drivers playoff spot and 1 owners playoff spot left. This will make for some wild racing as most drivers need to win to get into the playoffs, but there are a few scenarios in which a driver can point their way in. In addition to all this drama there is a regular season championship at stake for the owners and drivers points as well. Below are the scenarios in which no matter what happens in the race Saturday, if the scenario happens then the ticket is punched to the playoffs or the regular season championship is clinched. Likely the drivers will not need this much, but this is the maximum that needs to be done to clinch. However in the instance where a driver needs more or less than another, that is what needs to be done (or better) no exceptions.

*Does not include winning driver/owner scenario

Driver Regular Season Points Championship Clinching Scenarios

Martin Truex Jr.

• • • Needs 1 of the following scenarios:
      • 22 points (15th place finish)
      • Be within 38 points of Denny Hamlin

Driver Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Bubba Wallace

• • • Driver below cut doesn’t win: Needs both of the following scenarios
      • 24 points (13th place finish) OR Be within 31 points of Ty Gibbs
      • 13 points (24th place finish) OR Be within 42 points of Daniel Suarez
    • Driver below cut wins: Eliminated from the playoffs

Ty Gibbs

• • • Driver below cut doesn’t win: Needs both of the following scenarios
      • 33 points more than Bubba Wallace
      • 45 points (2nd place finish + 10 Stage Pts) OR Be within 10 points of Daniel Suarez
    • Driver below cut wins: Must win to clinch a playoff spot

Daniel Suarez

• • • Driver below cut doesn’t win: Needs both of the following scenarios
      • 43 points more than Bubba Wallace
      • 12 points more than Ty Gibbs
    • Driver below cut wins: Must win to clinch a playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

• • • Driver below cut doesn’t win: Eliminated from the playoffs
    • Driver below cut wins: Must win to clinch a playoff spot

Owner Regular Season Points Championship Clinching Scenarios

Joe Gibbs Racing No.19

• • • Needs 1 of the following scenarios:
      • 47 points (2nd place finish + 12 Stage Pts)
      • Be within 13 points of the No.11

Owner Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Hendrick Motorsports No.9

• • • Owner below cut doesn’t win: Needs the following scenario
      • 25 points (12th place finish) OR Be within 30 points of the No.23
    • Owner below cut wins: Eliminated from the playoffs

23XI Racing No.23

• • • Owner below cut doesn’t win: Needs the following scenario
      • 31 points more than the No.9
    • Owner below cut wins: Must win to clinch a playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

• • • Owner below cut doesn’t win: Eliminated from the playoffs
    • Owner below cut wins: Must win to clinch a playoff spot