The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are just six races away, and the picture is becoming clearer. Four spots remain available, with Ryan Preece in the best position among the drivers within striking distance. Preece sits three points behind Bubba Wallace after two road course events.
This weekend’s Dover Motor Speedway race marks a return to traditional tracks for NASCAR. The latest postseason projections from Racing Insights suggest that Preece has a strong chance of advancing, with a 37.18% playoff probability. His performance at short tracks like Iowa and Richmond could be key in his bid for the playoffs.
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman also has a good shot, with a 62.19% playoff probability. Bowman has placed eighth or better in three of his last five races and has been strong at Dover, including a 2021 win.
Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick’s large lead over the cutline could be put to the test if someone outside the playoff picture wins or if he experiences setbacks at tracks like Iowa and Watkins Glen. Reddick finished just 11th in last year’s Dover event, but recent top-10 finishes may give him a boost.
Bubba Wallace, on the other hand, is struggling after a promising summer stretch. His performance has been inconsistent since qualifying issues at Pocono, and he will need to avoid another poor finish to maintain his slim gap above the cutline. The last time they met at Chicago, Bowman and Wallace had a close battle that ended with Bowman’s spin sending Wallace into 28th place.
Source: https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2025/07/18/field-of-16-can-alex-bowman-get-all-four-hendrick-cars-into-playoffs