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BACK TO GALLERIES

NASCAR Cup Series 2020 Playoff Watch

By RJ Kraft | Published: August 23, 2020 18
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

From now until the scheduled regular-season finale Aug. 29 at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR.com will offer weekly analysis of the playoff picture. Here's how the postseason looks through 25 regular-season races (out of 26) after the second of two races at Dover International Speedway.

A few reminders:
-- All point totals are reset to 2,000 for the 16 eligible playoff drivers.
-- Drivers earn 5 playoff points for each of their regular-season wins.
-- Drivers earn 1 playoff point for each stage win.
-- The top 10 finishers in the regular-season standings earn playoff points on a sliding scale, starting with 15 points for the Regular Season Champion and ending on one point for the 10th-place finisher.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Missing the cut:


Jimmie Johnson (pictured) and Erik Jones.

The race for the final two playoff spots is one to watch for the remaining race, especially with two drivers outside of the top 16 in points -- Austin Dillon (18th) and rookie Cole Custer (19th) -- set for the postseason battle. The cut line now lies at William Byron's spot in the point standings -- 14th – with Johnson (-4) and Jones (-50) the closest to him. Matt DiBenedetto, who is 13th in the standings is only +9 on Johnson. The schedule has one big wild-card left -- the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, and anyone can win that race especially some drivers who can only make it in with a win.

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Matt DiBenedetto

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

16. Matt DiBenedetto: 2,000 points


Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 0

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - JULY 15: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to he NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

15. William Byron: 2,002 points


Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 2

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 09, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

14. Kurt Busch, 2,002 points


Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 1

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Clint Bowyer Places Eighth At Pocono Raceway.jpg

Christian Petersen | Getty Images

13. Clint Bowyer: 2,003 points


Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 3

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Kyle Busch Takes Sixth At Indianapolis Motor Speedway.jpg

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

12. Kyle Busch: 2,003 points


Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 1

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SONOMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 21, 2019 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

11. Aric Almirola: 2,005 points


Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 2

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SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 12: Cole Custer, driver of the #41 HaasTooling.com Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on July 12, 2020 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rob Carr | Getty Images

10. Cole Custer: 2,005 points


Qualified by: 1 win (Kentucky)
Stage wins: 0

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 19: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

9. Austin Dillon: 2,005 points


Qualified by: 1 win (Texas-1)
Stage wins: 0

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FONTANA, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Cincinnati Chevrolet, applies the winner's sticker after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 01, 2020 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Stacy Revere | Getty Images

8. Alex Bowman: 2,009 points


Qualified by: 1 win (Auto Club)
Stage wins: 4

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 04: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BodyArmor Ford, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 04, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

7. Ryan Blaney: 2,013 points


Qualified by: 1 win (Talladega-1)
Stage wins: 3

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 07: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 07, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Christian Petersen | Getty Images

6. Martin Truex Jr.: 2,014 points


Qualified by: 1 win (Martinsville-1)
Stage wins: 2

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, affixes the winners decal after winning the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Christian Petersen | Getty Images

5. Joey Logano: 2,020 points


Qualified by: 2 wins (Las Vegas-1, Phoenix-1)
Stage wins: 4

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

4. Chase Elliott: 2,020 points


Qualified by: 2 wins (Charlotte-2, Daytona RC)
Stage wins: 6

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 24: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, celebrates with the American flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

3. Brad Keselowski: 2,029 points


Qualified by: 3 wins (Coca-Cola 600, Bristol-1, New Hampshire)
Stage wins: 6

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

2. Denny Hamlin: 2,047 points


Qualified by: 6 wins (Daytona 500, Darlington-2, Miami, Pocono-2, Kansas-1, Dover-1)
Stage wins: 7

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

1. Kevin Harvick: 2,057 points


Qualified by: 7 wins (Darlington-1, Atlanta, Pocono-1, Indianapolis, Michigan-1, Michigan-2, Dover-2)
Stage wins: 7

*Clinched regular-season championship as well for 15 playoff points.
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