Insiders predict NASCAR Cup Series playoffs final four drivers after regular season finale

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff field is set, and two insiders have shared their thoughts on how the next 10 races will go. On The Teardown podcast, Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck of The Athletic predicted their four drivers who will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix.

Bianchi said that Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe will be the final four drivers in the playoffs. Gluck picked Blaney, defending champion Joey Logano, Briscoe and Denny Hamlin. The interesting thing is neither Bianchi or Gluck picked William Byron, who won this year’s NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season championship.

Gluck then focused on Logano since he spoke to his crew chief, Paul Wolfe. “He said that he told his team last week there’s no reason we shouldn’t be the favorites heading into these playoffs,” Gluck said about Wolfe. “It stacks up exactly how it has the last two times we won it, except even better. The tracks line up so great for them.”

Bianchi focused on Bell, as he thinks he can win it all. “If they get to Phoenix, I don’t know how you pick against Bell,” Bianchi said. “If Bell gets to Phoenix, I think they win. I think they’re going on a tear.”

Who will make a run in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

If Logano wants to win his fourth Cup Series championship, he has work to do since he’s only one point above the playoff cut line. Bell, on the other hand, is in a good spot to advance to the Round of 12, as he’s in fifth place in the playoff standings and 17 points above the cut line.

Blaney and Briscoe are the two similar picks for Gluck and Bianchi. Blaney, who won the Cup Series title in 2023, has been on a roll in the last six weeks, finishing in the top 10 in his last six races, including a victory at Daytona on Saturday night. He came close to being a two-time champion last year, losing to Penske teammate Logano in the championship race.

Briscoe finished 25that Daytona but has been racing well in the last couple of months. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has finished in the top five in four of his last seven races, including P2 finishes at Sonoma, Dover and Iowa.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs start on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Darlington. The first three playoff races will be the Round of 16, and the bottom four drivers will be eliminated after the third race.