The NASCAR Cup Playoffs were capped off with quite a clashful and emotional ending on October 5, 2025, at the Bank of America Roval 400 as Shane van Gisbergen, as a non-playoff driver, shocked the field with a victory.
This shockwave went through the standings because Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Austin Cindric are now out of the championship game. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Joey Logano qualified for the Round of 8, narrowing the field of playoffs.
Close Calls and Controversial Moves in the Cup Playoffs
Ross Chastain’s heartbreaking four-point elimination perfectly captured the drama of the NASCAR Cup Playoffs. A tense late-race sequence saw Denny Hamlin block Chastain in a defensive move that kept his teammate alive, one that split fans straight down the middle.
Some called it “a smart team play,” while others blasted it as “dirty racing.” According to NASCAR data, 40% of Round of 12 eliminations since 2017 have come down to similar on-track tactics, showing just how brutal this format can be.
Such situations are characteristic of this system of playoffs, which puts one-liners on the edge, one-liners, on one lap, or at least a teammate, where any move can alter everything.
Best of the rest and Stunning Results at the NASCAR Playoffs.
The headlines were taken by the eliminations, but the weekend was stolen by the win achieved by Shane van Gisbergen. He is not a playoff driver, and his win shook the disposition of the points championship.
In the case of Tyler Reddick, it was hard to comprehend why he had to lose. This is a message of how unforgiving this system (the NASCAR playoff) can be. Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric were also behind in the points.
It’s not the first time a non-playoff driver has played spoiler, but Shane van Gisbergen’s triumph may go down as one of the biggest shakeups in recent NASCAR history. Fans and analysts alike now wonder if this momentum could carry into 2026, especially with SVG adapting faster than most rookies in the Next Gen era.
What’s Next for the Playoffs?
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are now in the Round of 8 after the elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on October 5, 2025, when the non-playoff driver Shane van Gisbergen was the winner, but the main focus was on the playoff race.
The last place in the advancement went to Ross Chastain in late-race drama. Champion Joey Logano intellectually joined Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe.
The Round of 8 consists of three races designed to eliminate four more drivers and determine the Championship 4, who will compete for the title. Points reset at the start of the round, with drivers needing strong finishes or a win to advance. Any playoff driver winning a race automatically clinches a spot in the next round.
The eight drivers enter with close standings, led by Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Bell, and Elliott, with Briscoe and Joey Logano trailing below the cut line.
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