Following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, Kyle Busch experienced a significant challenge in his pursuit of a playoff spot. Despite finishing 11th and earning stage points during the event, Busch’s position in the 2025 playoff chase worsened, increasing the gap between himself and the playoff cut line.
The 40-year-old driver, who remains winless this season, had been narrowing the points deficit in recent weeks after consecutive top-10 finishes. Entering Dover, Busch was trailing 35 points behind Bubba Wallace, who held the 16th and final playoff position. However, Wallace’s seventh-place finish on Sunday and additional stage points pushed Busch further back, now 39 points behind with only five regular-season races remaining.
Playoff Standings Post-Dover Highlight Shifts Among Top Competitors
Denny Hamlin leads the current playoff standings after his victory at Dover, marking his fourth win this season and solidifying his playoff position. Hamlin’s strong performance sets him apart as the only driver with four victories, although he does not top the regular-season points leaderboard.
Chase Elliott now holds the regular-season points lead after Dover, overtaking Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, who has dropped to second place. Byron’s decline is mirrored by other high-profile drivers, including Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain, who have also slipped inside the top-10 of the playoff standings.
Below is a detailed view of the top 20 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings following the Dover race:
1. Denny Hamlin (11) | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | 4 wins | LOCKED IN
2. Kyle Larson (5) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | 3 wins | LOCKED IN
3. Christopher Bell (20) | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | 3 wins | LOCKED IN
4. Shane Van Gisbergen (88) | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | 3 wins | LOCKED IN
5. William Byron (24) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | 1 win | LOCKED IN
6. Ryan Blaney (12) | Team Penske Ford | 1 win | LOCKED IN
7. Austin Cindric (2) | Team Penske Ford | 1 win | LOCKED IN
8. Joey Logano (22) | Team Penske Ford | 1 win | LOCKED IN
9. Chase Briscoe (19) | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | 1 win | LOCKED IN
10. Ross Chastain (1) | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | 1 win | LOCKED IN
11. Josh Berry (21) | Wood Brothers Racing Ford | 1 win | LOCKED IN
12. Chase Elliott (9) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | 1 win | LOCKED IN
13. Tyler Reddick (45) | 23XI Racing Toyota | 0 wins | +15 points to cutoff
14. Alex Bowman (48) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | 0 wins | +6 points
15. Chris Buescher (17) | RFK Racing Ford | 0 wins | +4 points
16. Bubba Wallace (23) | 23XI Racing Toyota | 0 wins | +16 points
Playoff Cut Line
17. Ryan Preece (60) | Stewart-Haas Racing Ford | 0 wins | -16 points
18. Kyle Busch (8) | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | 0 wins | -39 points
19. Ty Gibbs (54) | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | 0 wins | -52 points
20. Michael McDowell (71) | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet | 0 wins | -77 points
Regular Season Points Standings Show Close Competition at the Top
The regular-season points after Dover reveal Chase Elliott leading the pack with 702 points, followed by William Byron at 686 and Kyle Larson at 664. Denny Hamlin is fourth on 663 points despite leading the playoff wins chart. Tyler Reddick rounds out the top five with 640 points.
Kyle Busch is positioned 15th with 461 points, firmly outside the playoff cut line, and facing substantial pressure in the remaining races to secure postseason qualification.
Additional notable regular-season standings include:
7. Ryan Blaney (12) | Team Penske Ford | 576 points
8. Chase Briscoe (19) | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | 570 points
9. Alex Bowman (48) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | 547 points
10. Chris Buescher (17) | RFK Racing Ford | 528 points
Unexpected Drops in Performance for Key Drivers at Dover
Several prominent drivers, including William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain, faced setbacks at Dover that affected their standings. Byron’s fall to second in the regular season and Reddick’s slide inside the playoff race signals an intensifying battle as the regular season approaches its climax.
Kyle Busch’s slump at Dover heightens the stakes as he contends with a growing points gap, forcing him to deliver significantly stronger results in the upcoming races to maintain championship hopes.
Implications for the NASCAR Playoff Race Moving Forward
The latest race at Dover has reshaped the NASCAR Cup Series playoff landscape, confirming Denny Hamlin’s dominance with four wins while highlighting several competitors who must rally quickly to remain playoff contenders. Kyle Busch’s playoff setback leaves limited room for error as the regular season nears its conclusion.
With five races left prior to the playoffs, drivers just outside the cutoff line like Busch face immense pressure. How effectively they handle this stretch will determine their postseason futures and potentially shift the balance of power among top NASCAR teams, such as Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and 23XI Racing.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. Kyle Busch announced on Saturday in Concord, North Carolina, that he will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. His contract with the team extends through the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This announcement was made at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch has decided to stay with Richard Childress Racing until 2026, mentioning that he hasn’t thought about retiring yet.
