NASCAR playoff surprises and the title threats facing elimination

Chris Buescher spoiled the playoff party by winning at Watkins Glen, but he was far from the only one stealing valuable points away from the title contenders. There’s also Ross Chastain, who led half the race and won the second stage. In the end, only one playoff driver finished inside the top-ten in a chaotic race, with several finding trouble on the very first lap — shaking up the standings even more, continuing to prove how unpredictable this year’s Round of 16 was expected to be. Here’s a closer look at where things stand as we close in on the Bristol elimination race.

Surprises near the top

Some drivers are breathing a sigh of relief entering Bristol, but those that are not are also not the names onlookers would have chosen to be on the cusp of elimination just weeks ago. Austin Cindric sits 43 points above the cut-line and is third in the playoff standings. Right behind him is Alex Bowman. Although Bowman drives for Hendrick Motorsports, few would have put him ahead of his three teammates at the start of the playoffs, but that’s exactly where he is. And in fifth is Daniel Suarez, who several picked as a first round exit. After nearly winning at Atlanta and collecting a decent amount of points at The Glen, he is now 36 points up. None of these drivers are locked in, but they have to be feeling fairly safe from elimination going into this race weekend. But with these surprises near the top, it means some of the more serious title threats are now drifting towards the bottom.

Feeling the pressure

A last-place finish at Watkins Glen eroded 16 points from Ryan Blaney’s cushion but luckily for the defending Cup champ, a strong showing at Atlanta leaves him 29 points up. He’s now eighth in the standings, and while not comfortable, he’s feeling better than two members of Hendrick Motorsports.

Kyle Larson, a dominant force throughout the 2024 season, is 26 points up only because of the bucket of bonus points he brought with him. It’s been two rough weeks for the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, as well as teammate William Byron, who is just one point further behind. And with drivers in the elimination zone fully capable of winning this weekend, their margin is realistically smaller than it shows with a win automatically vaulting any one of those drivers below them into the next round. 

If these drivers…