The NASCAR Cup Series standings shifted notably after Sunday’s Grant Park 165 race in Chicago, with Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Austin Cindric both experiencing position drops. Logano fell from 11th to 12th overall after finishing 11th in the race, while Cindric slipped from 15th to 18th following a 27th-place finish. Despite these setbacks, both remain locked into the playoffs, where competition for the remaining spots intensifies.
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch continues his battle within the playoff chase, moving up the ranks after securing fifth place at Chicago. Busch, driving for Richard Childress Racing, now sits just 47 points shy of the playoff cutoff with seven races remaining, setting the stage for a tense fight to secure his postseason position.
Recent Performance Boosts Kyle Busch’s Playoff Prospects
After a period of falling behind in the points standings, two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has made a significant recovery. His performance in Chicago, finishing fifth, allowed him to leap closer to the cutoff line. At 40 years old, Busch is currently 16th in the overall regular season standings but only 47 points below the playoff cutoff, highlighting his renewed chance to advance further in the postseason.
Bubba Wallace, currently positioned just above the cut line, is narrowly holding onto his playoff spot, standing only three points ahead of Ryan Preece, who is in 17th. In contrast, fellow 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick, despite not having a race win this season, remains securely positioned at fifth place, 142 points above the cutoff, offering some stability to the team’s playoff outlook.
Current NASCAR Cup Series Standings Overview
William Byron currently leads the Cup Series with 632 points, followed closely by teammate Chase Elliott with 619 points and Kyle Larson in third with 613. Other notable drivers include Denny Hamlin in fourth place and Tyler Reddick in fifth. Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric of Team Penske hold seventh and eighteenth positions respectively, reflecting the mixed fortunes for the Penske team after the recent race.
Kyle Busch ranks sixteenth with 397 points, while Bubba Wallace holds the thirteenth spot with 443 points. Other drivers in the playoff conversation include Erik Jones, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Preece, who sit near the crucial cutoff line and face pressure to maintain or improve their standings in the weeks ahead.
Playoff Standings Highlight Locked-In Drivers and Those Fighting for Spots
Twelve drivers have already secured their place in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, thanks to the number of race winners so far in the 2025 season. Leading the list of locked-in drivers are Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, and others. Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Austin Cindric are also guaranteed playoff spots, despite their recent falls in the regular season points standings.
The main contest now centers around the four remaining playoff spots. Tyler Reddick holds a strong position, significantly above the cutoff line, while Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, and Bubba Wallace occupy midfield positions with small margins either above or below the playoff line. Ryan Preece is currently three points below the cutoff, with Kyle Busch trailing closely behind at 47 points under the line and Erik Jones further back at 51 points below.
The Stakes Ahead as Playoff Battle Intensifies
With just seven races left in the regular season, each event gains importance for drivers on the cusp of the playoffs. Kyle Busch’s recent surge underscores the ongoing tension in the battle for the final positions, as any slip could hinder his chances of advancing. Meanwhile, Team Penske’s recent race results underscore the challenges the team faces in maintaining their playoff viability, with their two main drivers experiencing drops in points standings that could impact momentum.
This tight points situation promises heightened competition, particularly among drivers ranked between 13th and 20th. Fans and teams alike will watch closely as the season winds down to see who can secure those elusive remaining playoff spots and who may be forced to bow out prematurely.
“Kyle Busch is just 47 points below the cut line with seven races to go.” — Article Source
“Bubba Wallace is the driver on the bubble at the moment, only three points above Ryan Preece in 17th.” — Article Source
“Tyler Reddick is in a much healthier points position, fifth in the regular season standings and 142 points above the cut line.” — Article Source
“Team Penske suffered a double demotion, with Joey Logano falling from 11th to 12th and Austin Cindric dropping from 15th to 18th.” — Article Source
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. Exiting will shut the window. CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends. He and RCR shared this news on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Where will Kyle Busch be in 2026?
A. CONCORD, N.C. — On Saturday, Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing shared that Busch will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch announced he isn’t considering retirement yet and has signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing until 2026. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner also mentioned he wishes to compete alongside his son Brexton in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in six years.
Q. Why did Kyle Busch restart 4th?
A. Moran explained that the order was decided using scoring loop information. “It reflects the last loop where leaders were recorded,” Moran stated. “We assessed whether he was part of the accident and concluded he wasn’t. We found that he managed to avoid being involved in the crash.”
