Almirola, Busch brothers clinch Cup Series playoff berths after Dover doubleheader weekend

A total of three drivers clinched berths in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs after Sunday’s Drydene 311 at Dover International Speedway.

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The following drivers secured playoff eligibility on the basis of their rank in the Cup Series standings after Sunday’s race:

• Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
• Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
• Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 1 chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

One event remains in the 26-race regular season before the 10-race playoff stretch begins. The full 16-driver postseason field will be set after Saturday’s regular-season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM) at Daytona International Speedway.

Drivers who have already clinched playoff spots based on winning a regular-season race are (in chronological order of their first win): Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Cole Custer and Austin Dillon.

That leaves a total of three playoff spots left to be decided in Saturday’s 400-miler at Daytona. Jimmie Johnson is four points outside the playoff picture with William Byron holding the final provisional spot and Matt DiBenedetto just nine points ahead of cut line.