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.
Saved to `My Liked Photos`
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
2 of 18
View Fullscreen
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.