Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing gained a significant advantage in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after recent developments at Watkins Glen. His teammate Shane van Gisbergen’s victory not only added to his own playoff points but also ensured that several drivers with a single win, including Chastain, were officially locked into the postseason. This Ross Chastain <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR playoff boost marks a crucial moment for the drivers preparing for the playoffs, which begin at Darlington Raceway on August 31.
Impact of Shane van Gisbergen’s Victory on Playoff Eligibility
Shane van Gisbergen’s fourth win of the season at Watkins Glen further secured his playoff position while preventing the possibility of having 16 different race winners this year. Because of this, none of the drivers with one win are at risk of missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker, which can occur if there are more unique winners than available playoff spots. The drivers now officially qualified by wins include Chastain, Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott.
This outcome eliminates the unusual chance that a race-winning driver could be squeezed out based on point standings alone, allowing these drivers to focus on maximizing their playoff strategies rather than battling for entry.
Current Cup Series Playoff Standings Heading Toward Regular Season’s End
As the regular season nears its conclusion, the playoff picture shows a strong mix of experienced drivers and contenders secured by wins. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads with four wins, closely followed by Shane van Gisbergen also holding four victories. Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson have three wins apiece, while William Byron has two. Single-win drivers like Ross Chastain and Chase Elliott round out the locked-in contenders.
Below is the snapshot of the playoff standings after Watkins Glen, listing drivers by position, team, wins, and status relative to the playoff cut line:
1. Denny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota, 4 wins – LOCKED IN
2. Shane van Gisbergen (88), Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet, 4 wins – LOCKED IN
3. Christopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota, 3 wins – LOCKED IN
4. Kyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, 3 wins – LOCKED IN
5. William Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, 2 wins – LOCKED IN
6. Chase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, 1 win – LOCKED IN
7. Ryan Blaney (12), Team Penske, Ford, 1 win – LOCKED IN
8. Chase Briscoe (19), Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota, 1 win – LOCKED IN
9. Bubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing, Toyota, 1 win – LOCKED IN
10. Joey Logano (22), Team Penske, Ford, 1 win – LOCKED IN
11. Ross Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet, 1 win – LOCKED IN
12. Austin Cindric (2), Team Penske, Ford, 1 win – LOCKED IN
13. Josh Berry (21), Wood Brothers Racing, Ford, 1 win – LOCKED IN
Just outside the cutoff line are drivers without wins, led by Tyler Reddick (45, 23XI Racing, Toyota) and others who remain hopeful of securing a playoff spot based on points as the final regular season races approach.
Significance of Locked-In Status and Upcoming Challenges
With the playoff lineup now mostly settled thanks to the scenario at Watkins Glen, many drivers can finally shift their attention fully to the upcoming playoff rounds. Having a guaranteed spot provides valuable security, especially for drivers like Chastain who will now focus on race strategy rather than points survival.
The playoff opener at Darlington Raceway is just weeks away, and how these drivers perform there will set the tone for the remainder of the season. For those still outside the cut line, the pressure intensifies as they must capitalize on the remaining races to either clinch a win or accumulate enough points to extend their campaign. This reshaping of the playoff field after Watkins Glen underlines the competitive intensity and shifting dynamics of the current NASCAR Cup Series season.
“It is now impossible for there to be 16 different race winners this season and a regular season champion that has not won a race.” —Race Analyst
“All can now breathe a sigh of relief and start to plan ahead for playoff action, which kicks off at Darlington Raceway on August 31.” —NASCAR Insider
