The field of 16 NASCAR Cup Series championship hopefuls will be set after Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
The potential playoff outcomes for Richard Childress Racing teammates Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon ripple with mathematical possibilities for Saturday’s regular-season finale. For everyone else with a sliver of postseason eligibility within reach, the marching orders are simple — win or else.
Only one playoff berth remains available, and Reddick is currently the last driver in on the provisional postseason grid, 25 points ahead of Dillon, who is the first driver out as things stand with 25 of 26 regular-season races in the books.
Points matter for the RCR bubble duo, but 13 other drivers can convert on a playoff spot by winning the regular-season finale. A first-time winner from among that baker’s dozen would knock both Reddick and Dillon out.