What the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture looks like after Iowa

William Byron snagged his second win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season at Iowa Speedway on Sunday. Behind him, however, the Cup Series playoff bubble continued to shift. Here's what the playoff picture looks like with three races left in the regular season. 

1. Denny Hamlin (four wins) 

2. Kyle Larson (three wins)

3. Christopher Bell (three wins) 

4. Shane van Gisbergen (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 (+122)

Reddick had a rough day at Iowa, finishing 19th after failing to make much progress all afternoon. If he can at least stay even in regard to points after Watkins Glen, he could lock up a spot in the playoffs if there's not a new winner. 

15. Alex Bowman (+63) 

Bowman stayed exactly even with the cut line after a seventh-place finish at Iowa on Sunday. He has a solid one-race gap over the cut line with three races left in the regular season. 

16. Chris Buescher (+23) 

Buescher lost 19 points to the cut line after finishing 22nd on Sunday. However, he is the defending winner at Watkins Glen, and he could use another victory at the New York road course next week. 

17. Ryan Preece (-23) 

Preece gained 19 points on his RFK Racing teammate with a fifth-place finish on Sunday. He's been solid on road courses this season, but mitigating his points loss to Buescher will be key. 

18. Kyle Busch (-73) 

Busch — and everyone below him, for that matter, essentially fell into must-win territory on Sunday. Busch finished 20th after having to start from the rear following a crash in practice, and Daytona on Aug. 23 may be his best chance at a win. 

19. Ty Gibbs (-87) 

Gibbs did gain eight points on the cut line despite finishing 21st, but he's also in a must-win situation at this point. He does have a win at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity Series, and there wouldn't be a better time for his first career win than next Sunday. 

20. AJ Allmendinger (-118)

Watkins Glen is Allmendinger's best chance at a win and the most important race for the No. 16 team all season. If he doesn't win next week, a miraculous Daytona win is his only real chance left at a postseason bid.