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Kevin Harvick checks the monitors at Road America
BACK TO GALLERIES

NASCAR Cup Series drivers with playoff appearances in elimination era

By Staff Report | Published: September 1, 2022 40
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 40

Graphic of the 16 Cup Series Playoffs drivers

NASCAR Creative Design

With the elimination era beginning in 2014, NASCAR.com takes a look at which Cup Series drivers have made the 16-driver postseason field over the years. The 2022 class has four first-timers — and three drivers who have made every postseason class of the past nine seasons.

2 of 40

Dylan Buell | Getty Images

Dylan Buell | Getty Images

Ross Chastain


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: TBD in 2022

3 of 40

Daniel Suárez on the grid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Daniel Suárez


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: TBD in 2022

4 of 40

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Chase Briscoe


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: TBD in 2022

5 of 40

Getty Images

Getty Images

Austin Cindric


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: TBD in 2022

6 of 40

Michael McDowell waves to crowd in Love's fire suit

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Michael McDowell


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 16th in 2021

7 of 40

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Cole Custer, driver of the #41 HaasTooling.com Ford, waits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Cole Custer


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 16th in 2020

8 of 40

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Chris Buescher


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 16th in 2016

9 of 40

Matt Dibenedetto Places Sixth At Michigan International Speedway.jpg

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Matt DiBenedetto


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 13th in 2020

10 of 40

MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 28: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Chevrolet, walks through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28, 2016 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Tony Stewart


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 15th in 2016

11 of 40

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 18: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Sereies GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 18, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Greg Biffle


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 14th in 2014

12 of 40

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 27: Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Quick Land Tire & Auto Center Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, 2019 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Paul Menard


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 14th in 2015

13 of 40

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 14: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger ClickList Chevrolet, is introduced during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

AJ Allmendinger


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 13th in 2014

14 of 40

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 20, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.


Playoff appearances: 1
Best finish: 13th in 2017

15 of 40

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 07: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 Guaranteed Rate Chevrolet, walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 07, 2022 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Tyler Reddick


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 13th in 2021

16 of 40

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 06: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Sirius XM Toyota, waits on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 06, 2022 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Christopher Bell


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 12th in 2021

17 of 40

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 19: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #95 Dumont Jets Chevrolet, participates in pre-race ceremonies prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 19, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Kasey Kahne


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 15th in 2014 and 2017

18 of 40

Erik Jones on the grid at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Erik Jones


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 15th in 2018

19 of 40

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AXALTA Chevrolet, takes part in pre-race ceremonies for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr.


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 8th in 2014

20 of 40

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 AXALTA Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2015 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon


Playoff appearances: 2
Best finish: 3rd in 2015

21 of 40

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 13: Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 Winter Park Construction/Arctic Cat Chevrolet, walks to his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

Jamie McMurray


Playoff appearances: 3
Best finish: 12th in 2017

22 of 40

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 06: Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 Sport Clips Toyota, celebrates winning the rain-shortened NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 6, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

Carl Edwards


Playoff appearances: 3
Best finish: 4th in 2016

23 of 40

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - MARCH 20: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, 2022 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

William Byron


Playoff appearances: 4
Best finish: 10th in 2020

24 of 40

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 27: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush/Cummins Ford, during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 27, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

Clint Bowyer


Playoff appearances: 4
Best finish: 9th in 2019

25 of 40

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 21: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #6 Performance Plus Motor Oil Ford, walks in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 21, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Matt Kenseth


Playoff appearances: 4
Best finish: 5th in 2016

26 of 40

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Ryan Newman


Playoff appearances: 4
Best finish: 2nd in 2014

27 of 40

DOVER, DELAWARE - MAY 16: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, celebrates his win during the NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 16, 2021 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Alex Bowman


Playoff appearances: 5
Best finish: 6th in 2020

28 of 40

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 28: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 BREZTRI Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Austin Dillon


Playoff appearances: 5
Best finish: 11th in 2017 and 2020

29 of 40

Aric Almirola smiles with Smithfield hat on and Smithfield firesuit

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Aric Almirola


Playoff appearances: 5
Best finish: 5th in 2018

30 of 40

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson


Playoff appearances: 5
Best finish: 1st in 2016

31 of 40

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Kyle Larson


Playoff appearances: 6
Best finish: 1st in 2021

32 of 40

Ryan Blaney gives thumbs up while wearing Advance Auto Parts firesuit

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Ryan Blaney


Playoff appearances: 6
Best finish: 7th in 2019 and 2021

33 of 40

Chase Elliott smiles pre-race.

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Chase Elliott


Playoff appearances: 7
Best finish: 1st in 2020

34 of 40

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, celebrates with the race trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr.


Playoff appearances: 7
Best finish: 1st in 2017

35 of 40

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 06: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, exits his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 06, 2022 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Joey Logano


Playoff appearances: 8
Best finish: 1st in 2018

36 of 40

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Kurt Busch


Playoff appearances: 8
Best finish: 7th in 2016 and 2018

37 of 40

Brad Keselowski loads into the No. 6 Ford at Indianapolis

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski


Playoff appearances: 8
Best finish: 2nd in 2020

38 of 40

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 23: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series M&M's Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Denny Hamlin


Playoff appearances: 9
Best finish: 3rd in 2014 and 2021

39 of 40

Kevin Harvick checks the monitors at Road America

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Kevin Harvick


Playoff appearances: 9
Best finish: 1st in 2014

40 of 40

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferry | Getty Images

Kyle Busch


Playoff appearances: 9
Best finish: 1st in 2015 and 2019
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