What the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture looks like after Watkins Glen

Shane van Gisbergen scored his fourth win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season at Watkins Glen on Sunday, but behind him, the playoff picture continued to take shape. Here's where the playoff standings sit with two races remaining in the regular season. 

1. Denny Hamlin (four wins) 

2. Shane van Gisbergen (four wins) 

3. Christopher Bell (three wins) 

4. Kyle Larson (three wins) 

5. William Byron (two wins) 

6. Chase Elliott (one win) 

7. Ryan Blaney (one win) 

8. Chase Briscoe (one win) 

9. Bubba Wallace (one win) 

10. Joey Logano (one win) 

11. Ross Chastain (one win) 

12. Austin Cindric (one win) 

13. Josh Berry (one win) 

14. Tyler Reddick (+117) 

Reddick came up three points shy of clinching a playoff spot going into Richmond. Barring apocalyptic circumstances at Richmond or Daytona, he'll make the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. 

15. Alex Bowman (+60) 

With two races left in the regular season, Bowman has a race's worth of cushion available. He only finished 20th at Watkins Glen, but another top-20 effort at Richmond — a track he won at in 2021 — could be enough for Bowman to clinch a postseason berth. 

16. Chris Buescher (+34)

Buescher did exactly what he needed to do on Sunday, winning Stage 1 and finishing third. He gained 11 points on the cut line — a crucial result given how good Ryan Preece is at short tracks such as Richmond. 

17. Ryan Preece (-34) 

Despite a solid day at the Glen, Preece's nine stage points and 13th-place finish were essentially canceled out by Buescher's strong day. The RFK Racing teammates will still be battling for the final playoff spot at Richmond, a track that suits Preece's driving style exceptionally well. 

18. Kyle Busch (-102) 

A 22nd-place finish on Sunday is essentially the final nail in the coffin for Busch's hopes of pointing his way into the postseason. It's still mathematically possible, but a win at Richmond or Daytona appears to be Busch's best shot at getting back to the playoffs. 

19. Ty Gibbs (-125) 

Gibbs finished 33rd at Watkins Glen on Sunday, and he and every driver below him are now officially in a must-win situation. The No. 54 team has come on strong over the second half of the regular season, and they'll need some magic if Gibbs is to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. 

20. AJ Allmendinger (-129) 

Allmendinger's best chance at winning his way into the playoffs has come and gone after he finished 11th on Sunday. A win at Daytona on Aug. 23 is the only path toward a postseason spot for the No. 16 team.