The 2025 NASCAR Playoffs are heating up after the Round of 12 race at Kansas Speedway. Things are getting serious now. Two drivers, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott, have already locked their spots in the Round of 8.
That means they don’t have to worry about the next race. But for the rest, the fight is still on, and the big question is who will move forward and who will be left out.
“Zane Smith’s crash in the No. 38 Ford Mustang during the overtime restart of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025, was one of the season’s scariest moments. His car flipped with sparks and debris flying, briefly stopping the race. Thankfully, Smith walked away unhurt, a sharp reminder of the dangers of high-speed racing,” reported by Dogli Wilberforce
Drivers Who Made the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8
In Kansas, Blaney and Elliott made things clear. They are safe and can breathe easy heading into the next race at the Charlotte Roval. With their wins, they don’t need to stress about points anymore.
Behind them, Kyle Larson has a 54-point lead over the cutline. That’s the biggest safety cushion of all. He’s been strong all season, and his playoff run shows it.
Other drivers sitting in good spots are:
Denny Hamlin (+48)
Christopher Bell (+44)
William Byron (+40)
Chase Briscoe (+21)
Joey Logano (+13)
These numbers give them a bit of breathing room. But nothing is guaranteed in NASCAR. One bad race can change everything. That’s why the Charlotte Roval will be huge for all of them.
Drivers in Trouble After Kansas
Kansas also showed which drivers are in real danger. Four of them are sitting below the cutline, and the pressure is on.
Ross Chastain is the closest, but he’s still 13 points behind. He needs a strong finish and maybe a little luck to climb back in.
Bubba Wallace is down by 26 points. That’s harder to make up. He’ll need a near-perfect run and some help from others to sneak into the Round of 8.
Tyler Reddick is 29 points back. His chances are slim unless he nails everything at the Roval.
Austin Cindric has the biggest mountain to climb, sitting 48 points behind. For him, the best way in is simple: win the Roval. If he doesn’t, his playoff run is probably done.
2025 NASCAR Playoffs Standings
Here’s how things look after Kansas:
Chase Elliott — Winner flag
Ryan Blaney — Winner flag
Kyle Larson — +54
Denny Hamlin — +48
Christopher Bell — +44
William Byron — +40
Chase Briscoe — +21
Joey Logano — +13
Ross Chastain — -13
Bubba Wallace — -26
Tyler Reddick — -29
Austin Cindric — -48
The Road Ahead: Charlotte Roval
Now all eyes turn to the Charlotte Roval, the last race in this playoff round. The Roval is tricky because it mixes an oval track with a road course. Drivers have to deal with tight turns, heavy braking, and lots of traffic. Mistakes can end a playoff dream in a heartbeat.
For the drivers above the cutline, the job is to stay clean, avoid wrecks, and grab enough points to move on. For the drivers below, it’s all about taking risks and maybe going for broke with a win.
The Kansas race gave us a clear picture of who’s safe, who’s close, and who needs a miracle. But NASCAR is always full of surprises. At the Charlotte Roval, anything can happen. Fans should get ready for drama, risks, and big moves as drivers push for their spot in the Round of 8.
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