5 NASCAR Drivers Entering 'Must-Win' Territory
There are only five races before the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Twelve drivers have secured their spot in the postseason, leaving four openings for drivers around the cutline. Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, and Chris Buescher currently occupy the four remaining playoff positions. Here are five drivers who are on the outside looking in and are in 'must-win' territory if they want a shot at making the playoffs.
5. Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace is the first driver below the cut line for the NASCAR playoffs, despite being in 15th in the regular season standings. The 23-car has three top-five and seven top-ten finishes this year, but they're still searching for a win. Wallace started the season on the right foot, placing fifth in first two races. After that, it began to go somewhat downhill. If Bubba wants to make the playoffs and not have to worry about points, he needs to get a win in the final five regular-season races.
4. Chase Briscoe
Chase Briscoe is 88 points below the 16th and final NASCAR Cup Series playoff position, so a win is an absolute must for the 14-team. The Indiana native has an average finish of 17.24, a career-high. Briscoe has only finished inside the top five twice this season, most recently at New Hampshire when he placed second behind future Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell. The 14-car hasn't been to victory lane since March 2022. That streak will most likely have to end if Briscoe hopes to make it into the playoffs.
3. Kyle Busch
Few NASCAR drivers have had a more frustrating season than Kyle Busch. The former Cup Series Champion has his worst average finish (19.43) since 2005 and has had 11 DNFs since moving over to Richard Childress Racing, including five this year. Busch is 98 points back of the cutline, making for an incredibly tough battle over the next five weeks. The veteran driver desperately needs a win, but will the team be able to put it all together to get to victory lane? I don't think so.
2. Todd Gilliland
Todd Gilliland is still trying for his first NASCAR Cup Series win as he nears 100 career races in the series. You've been able to see the improvement from Gilliland this year. The 24-year-old is averaging a career-best 19.62 average finish and has led 120 laps throughout the year. The 38-car struggled to be in the front of the pack at the end of races, with no top-five finished and only three top-ten outings. Gilliand is 121 points behind the 16th postseason spot and almost certainly needs a win to make it there.
1. Josh Berry
Josh Berry would love to win and secure his place in the 2024 playoffs. It would certainly be a good feeling as he transitions to a new race team in 2025. The four-car has two top-five and four top-ten finishes but is 152 points back of the final playoff spot. Berry and his team have five more races to make the most out of this season. Their first opportunity to win comes in Indianapolis this Sunday.
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