What the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture looks like after Richmond

Austin Dillon's victory in Saturday's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway blew up the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture. With the regular-season finale at Daytona looming, here's what the playoff standings look like. 

1. Denny Hamlin (four wins) 

2. Shane van Gisbergen (four wins) 

3. Kyle Larson (three wins) 

4. Christopher Bell (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. Austin Dillon (one win) 

15. Tyler Reddick (+89) 

Points aren't the issue for Reddick, who is above the cut line by nearly a race and a half. However, should he fall below Alex Bowman, who he leads by 29 points, a new winner from below the cut line could knock Reddick out of the postseason. Staying above Bowman should be Reddick's main objective at Daytona. 

16. Alex Bowman (+60) 

Conversely, Bowman should try his best to get above Reddick in points next week at Daytona. Bowman can't lose a playoff spot via points, but a new winner could knock him out if he remains in the 16th position on the grid. 

17. Chris Buescher (-60) 

It didn't matter anyway with Dillon winning, but a 30th-place effort from Buescher on Saturday certainly didn't help his playoff outlook. He'll be tasked with winning at Daytona — something he accomplished in August 2023. 

18. Ryan Preece (-94) 

Richmond was a massive missed opportunity for Preece, who is also in a must-win situation after he finished 35th on Saturday. The good news? Preece knows how to find the front at Daytona, although his car usually leaves the ground once he gets there. 

19. Kyle Busch (-148) 

All of Busch's eggs must now be placed in the Daytona basket. Busch was fastest in practice on Friday at Richmond, but finished 16th after getting caught up in a mid-race accident. He's been solid at Daytona with RCR, but is staring down consecutive years of missing the playoffs if he can't find victory lane next week. 

20. Ty Gibbs (-173) 

Gibbs was already in a must-win situation going into Richmond and only fell further behind after finishing 18th. He'll need to score his first career win at Daytona to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season.