Can Todd Gilliland play spoiler to playoff field at Atlanta?

As the NASCAR Cup Series makes its second trip to Atlanta this weekend, the focus is rightfully on the start of the NASCAR playoffs. 

The beginning of the championship chase may be dominating the talk around the garage area, but the 18 drivers who aren't chasing a championship still have a chance to end their season on a high note and gain momentum for next season.

Nine of those 18 drivers will be searching for their first Cup Series win, including 24-year-old Todd Gilliland, who's quietly put together the best season of his young NASCAR career in 2024.

While anyone in the field can win Sunday's Quaker State 400 at Atlanta, Gilliland's case for victory lane stands out. In February, Gilliland qualified fourth and led 58 laps at the Georgia track before a late crash took him out. 

Gilliland is once more expected to be one of the most formidable contenders on Sunday afternoon, along with his Front Row Motorsports teammate, Michael McDowell. 

The FRM duo locked out the front row in qualifying at Daytona two weeks ago, and bringing good speed for Saturday's qualifying session will be paramount at a track where track position plays a huge role. 

With nearly another full season of experience under his belt since the Cup Series' last trip to Atlanta, don't be surprised if Gilliland spoils the postseason party and breaks through for what would undoubtedly be a popular first career win. 

The Quaker State 400 will go green shortly after 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, with coverage on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.