With 11 races remaining in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the fight for playoff qualification has grown increasingly tense. Veteran driver Kyle Busch and rising talent Carson Hocevar are locked in a fierce contest for one of the last postseason berths, highlighting the urgency of their campaigns as the season nears Daytona.
Currently, nine drivers have secured playoff positions through wins, while seven others remain separated by only 40 points near the elimination threshold. Every stage point and lap completed could ultimately decide which racers advance to compete for the championship.
Kyle Busch Endures Rare Struggles Amid Playoff Pressure
Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch finds himself in a precarious position just outside the playoff cutoff. Tied on points with Ryan Preece, Busch holds 17th place due to tiebreakers, a surprising spot given his history. His difficulties stem from a lengthy 72-race winless streak and insufficient accumulation of stage points early in races.
That’s just where our weak spot is, of being able to get stage points in Stage 1 and Stage 2,
Busch admitted.
And we can finish OK, but it’s too late in the day by the time you get to that point to collect good points day on that front.
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
With challenging venues ahead like Mexico City and the Chicago Street Course, Busch faces mounting obstacles. Mechanical issues or unexpected winners below the cutoff line could jeopardize his playoff chances. Consequently, his strategy has shifted toward consistent point gathering rather than pursuing wins aggressively.
Carson Hocevar Emerges as Playoff Threat and Potential Wild Card
Although Hocevar sits 18 points below the cutoff, he has become a wildcard figure that other drivers worry about. Now in his second Cup season and racing for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar has demonstrated notable speed, with two top-five finishes, three top-ten results, and 70 laps led so far.
NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck emphasized the concern about Hocevar’s presence in the playoff picture:
The field does not want Hocevar in the playoffs. … You don’t know what kind of speed he’s going to bring, you don’t know how aggressive he’s going to be to make the rounds.
—Jeff Gluck, NASCAR insider
Hocevar nearly secured his first Cup victory at Michigan, leading 32 laps before a late flat tire pushed him down to 29th place. His combination of raw speed and bold racing style has drawn attention across the series, signaling a potential disruptor heading into the postseason.
His maturity and aggressive tactics could either lead to an unexpected win or accumulate enough points to punch his ticket into the playoffs. The next stretch of races, including four road and street courses known for unpredictable results, offers Hocevar both opportunity and risk as the regular season edges closer to completion.
High Stakes and Uncertainty Dominate Final Stretch
With points tight and the competition fierce, both Busch and Hocevar know that consistency and error avoidance will be vital. The remaining races’ diversity in track types, including road and street circuits, heightens the unpredictability and potential for surprise outcomes.
The playoff battle’s outcome will likely hinge on who can best manage pressure and maintain steady performance. For Kyle Busch, overcoming his current struggles is critical to extending his championship legacy. For Carson Hocevar, the opportunity to prove himself among the sport’s elite and shake up expectations is within reach.
