2025 NASCAR Playoffs Are in the Home Stretch

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are down to the final eight drivers, and it’s safe to say they’re all elite.

With four races to go in the season, Denny Hamlin leads the semi-finalists in search of what would be his first NASCAR Championship. 2023 NASCAR champ Ryan Blaney is in second, followed by 2021 champ Kyle Larson in third. Regular season champion William Bryon is next in fourth place, followed by perennial Championship 4 participant Christopher Bell. Two NASCAR Chase’s – Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe – are in sixth and seventh, respectively, with reigning champion Joey Logano bringing up the rear in eighth. 

Logano earned his spot in dramatic fashion in the final Round of 12 race at the ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Shane van Gisbergen won the race and proved that he’s the best road-course racer in NASCAR with his fifth road or street course win of the season. But in the big picture, the race’s final lap produced the most drama. Ross Chastain, who needed to finish ahead of Logano to advance to the semi-finals, wiped out after getting passed by Denny Hamlin, allowing Logano to pass him and secure the final spot in the semis. In addition to Chastain, the other Round of 12 drivers who were eliminated were Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Austin Cindric.

Here’s a look ahead at the final four races of the 2025 NASCAR season.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 field

1. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,036 points)
2. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske (4,034 points)
3. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports (4,032 points)
4. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports (4,032 points)
5. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,028 points)
6. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports (4,018 points)
7. Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,018 points)
8. Joey Logano, Team Penske (4,008 points)

NASCAR Semi-Final Races

South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Sunday, Oct. 12, 5:30pm ET on USA Network

YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2:00pm ET on NBC

Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2:00pm ET on NBC

Championship 4

NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3:00pm ET on NBC