7 NASCAR drivers who could win their way into the Cup Series Playoffs at Daytona (and knock Tyler Reddick out)

Getty Images

     As you and I both know the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs currently consists of a “Win-And-You’re-In” format. With that being noted there are only 16 playoff spots available, and by both race wins and countdown to the final race of the regular season, 15 of those spots are withheld and locked in by deserving drivers. With only one race to go (before the playoffs), Tyler Reddick sits on the cutoff line, with teammate Austin Dillon looking in, and I can say with certainty hoping we get a repeat winner this Saturday night, so that he can remain. Unfortunately when the Cup Series comes to Daytona, surprise winners happen quite frequently. Now I’m going to answer the burning question I know that you’ve been waiting hear: Who could win their way into the playoffs this Saturday, and knock Tyler Reddick out??

Austin Dillon - With his first superspeedway victory coming at this track back in February of 2018, Austin Dillon has what it takes to win again this weekend. Dillon and his grandfather’s race team (Richard Childress Racing) make a pairing of dominance when it comes to superspeedways. While his teammate, Tyler Reddick, has been just slightly better all season, Dillon’s talent could shine through under the lights at Daytona to score a victory and steal the final playoff spot. With that being said all Dillon needs to clinch the playoffs is a really good race, though to make this possible Tyler Reddick would have to do worse than him.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - So I’d bet you’re wondering, “Why is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on this list, he often has pretty inconsistent seasons?”. Well, yes historically Stenhouse has had very up and down seasons, but when it comes to superspeedway racing he has been phenomenal! Ricky Stenhouse Jr. currently holds two NASCAR Cup Series victories to his name, and they both came in 2017 at superspeedways. The first victory that Stenhouse can claim was the Spring race at Talladega Superspeedway the 2017 “Geico 500”. In this race Stenhouse qualified fastest, and in an overtime restart he passed Kyle Busch for the lead, as well as held off drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Kasey Khane, and Kyle Busch to pass the finish line first. The second NASCAR Cup Series victory of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. came in the Summer race at Daytona International Speedway, the 2017 “Coke Zero” 400. On this race Ricky Stenhouse Jr. passed David Ragan for the lead coming to the white flag, then held off Michael McDowell for the win. Now obviously a lot has changed since 2017, especially for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2019 Stenhouse left Roush Fenway Racing (the organization whom he scored 2 victories), and joined JTG Daugherty Racing to drive the No. 47 for the 2020 season. In the first event of 2020, the “Daytona” 500 Stenhouse qualified fastest, but fell back to finish 20th. Later that season Stenhouse headed to Talladega Superspeedway for the Spring “Geico” 500 where he qualified 20th. He would finish 2nd, nearly scoring the victory as he ran beside Ryan Blaney. The finish came down to .007 of a second. All I’m saying is that, regardless of team at a superspeedway, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is still a dependable pick for the win. With the stats and race finishes I just highlighted, I think the both of us can agree, Stenhouse has a chance at winning his way into the playoffs this Saturday night.

Matt DiBenedetto - The fan favorite “Matty D”, while surprisingly good at Superspeedway racing, is still looking for his first NASCAR Cup Series victory. DiBenedetto has effectively been fired from Wood Brothers Racing, in exchange for next year’s rookie driver Harrison Burton. Both the Wood Brothers and Matt DiBenedetto know that this may be their last chance at a win for a little while, and incase you didn’t know the Wood Brothers are looking for their 100th Cup Series victory as a team so this would be a big one! The closest Matt DiBennedetto has come to a victory was at last year’s (2020) “YellaWood” 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. DiBenedetto had been running decently most of the day, and with some of the field damaged, DiBenedetto had an opportunity to be up front. With help from Chris Buescher (No. 17) in 2nd, DiBennedetto drove his No. 21 Mustang to the lead, and with 2 laps to go he was defending for the win. William Byron (No. 24) was in 3rd and made an attempt to pas DiBenedetto on the final lap. Trying to block the Byron, DiBenedetto got low, and the No. 24 went below the double yellow line (which is a big “no-no” at Talladega). This slowed the No. 21 car down as it lost a lot of momentum, and allowed the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin to get alongside DiBenedetto. As the car sped to the finish line Hamlin was just inches ahead of DiBenedetto, and while disappointing for many fans it was assumed the No. 21 finished 2nd. To add insult to injury moments later NASCAR Officials penalized Matt DiBenedetto for squeezing the No. 24 of William Byron below the double yellow line. This sent DiBenedetto to a 21st place finish, which is not indicative of how he ran that day. While the ending of that race did not go as planned for the No. 21 team, it’s undoubtable that DiBenedetto is a threat at the superspeedways. With Matt DiBenedetto using this weekend’s race at Daytona as a job application, you can bet he’s gonna be trying his darndest to win.

Daniel Suárez - Look, I’ll be completely honest with you, Daniel Suárez is not the strongest superspeedway driver in the field, but powered by ECR engines, and with assistance from Richard Childress Racing you can bet that Daniel Suárez’s car will be capable of winning. Trackhouse Racing’s NASCAR division is obviously very young, but the team is definitely on the right track. Co-Owners Justin Marks and famous Pop-Star Pitbull have put a lot into this team whereas they are competitive week in a week out. Superspeedways like Daytona give a chance for anything to happen, and while Daniel Suárez’s superspeedway statistics are not compelling, the combination of this track and Trackhouse Racing’s equipment I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the No. 99 team will have a pretty decent race, and possibly steal the final spot in the Cup Series playoffs.

Chris Buescher - Do you remember that car that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. drove to 2 superspeedway victories for Roush Fenway Racing? Well after Stenhouse left Roush Fenway Racing Chris Buescher took over that ride. Naturally, Buescher hasn’t had the same success as Stenhouse over at the No. 17 team, but as he becomes more weathered he has begun to show some decent speed overall, especially at bigger tracks like superspeedways. Chris Buescher’s best finish at a superspeedway track came in only his first race at Roush Fenway Racing. This finish came for Buescher during the 2020 “Daytona” 500 where he finished 3rd, just behind Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin as Ryan Newman flipped on his roof. While Buescher is still searching for his first superspeedway win (at the Cup level), I wouldn’t count him out this Saturday. Now could be his opportunity to win his way into the playoffs!

Bubba Wallace - Like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Bubba Wallace is well known for both inconsistent seasons, as well as strong runs at superspeedway type tracks. Wallace is looking for his first Cup Series win, and Saturday night could be a good chance for him. One of Wallace’s best finishes in the Cup Series came at the “Daytona” 500 in 2018 driving for Richard Petty Motorsports where he can runner up to, finishing 2nd. Another bright spot in Wallace’s career was also at a superspeedway, Talladega Superspeedway during this spring’s “Geico”500. In this race Bubba won his first stage of his career, and came back to finish 16th, after what was arguably one of his strongest races this season. Obviously Bubba Wallace’s best finish came with Richard Petty Motorsports, and he now drives for 23XI Racing. Regardless of that, both teams are comparable in terms of equipment. The combination of Wallace’s superspeedway skill, and a little bit of luck could be all he needs to win his way into the playoffs, knocking Tyler Reddick out. 

Ross Chastain - Chastain who is currently in his first full time season in the NASCAR Cup Series might not be your first pick to win Saturday’s “Coke Zero-Sugar” 400, but he should definitely be somewhere on your list! Chastain who is currently driving for a Chip Ganassi Racing who is in their terminal season does not have awful luck at superspeedway tracks. Though wrecking out in this year’s “Daytona” 500 in a huge accident, Chastain sure enough has had some of his career highlights at superspeedways. Here at Daytona in the Summer of 2019 while driving for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Ross Chastain scored 1 of his 2 series victories. Chastain drove his way to the lead, and with ease stayed out front until the checkered flag, proving his skill at the track. Now in his first full season in the Cup Series Chastain has performed very decently at superspeedway races. This winter at the “Daytona” 500, Ross Chastain finished 7th in his No. 42 Camaro, at the time scoring his career best finish, then in the spring during the “Geico” 500 at Talladega Superspeedway he was running in 6th place before wrecking at the finish line and finishing 16th. With the recent announcement that Chip Ganassi Racing will not be returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, you can bet the team is willing to take some big risks when it comes to getting Ross Chastain a good finish. Maybe the 2021 “Coke Zero Sugar” 400 could be his first Cup Series victory, knocking Tyler Reddick plum out of the playoffs.

Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly some other drivers who could win the “Coke Zero Sugar” 400 on Saturday, but drivers like Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano have already won and are into the playoffs. Tyler Reddick better watch out because if one of the guys above wins (and they could) he’s out! Tune into the NASCAR Cup Series “Coke Zero Sugar” 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, August 28th 2018 to see the playoff field become official, and see who wins this Summer’s biggest night of racing!