NASCAR Cup Series 2020 Playoff Watch

By RJ Kraft | Monday, August 24, 2020

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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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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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16. Matt DiBenedetto: 2,000 points

Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 0

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15. William Byron: 2,002 points

Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 2

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14. Kurt Busch, 2,002 points

Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 1

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13. Clint Bowyer: 2,003 points

Qualified by: Points
Stage wins: 3

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12. Kyle Busch: 2,003 points

Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 1

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11. Aric Almirola: 2,005 points

Qualified by: Clinched on points
Stage wins: 2

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10. Cole Custer: 2,005 points

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

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9. Austin Dillon: 2,005 points

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

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8. Alex Bowman: 2,009 points

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

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7. Ryan Blaney: 2,013 points

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

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6. Martin Truex Jr.: 2,014 points

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

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5. Joey Logano: 2,020 points

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

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4. Chase Elliott: 2,020 points

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

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3. Brad Keselowski: 2,029 points

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

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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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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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