Well, here we go again with a NASCAR playoff schedule upcoming. I’ve already explained the rules in previous years (here and here), so let’s jump right into the drivers seat.
16 Drivers. 10 Races. 4 Rounds. 1 Champion.
The first round of 16 starts this Sunday in Chicagoland and Stewart-Haas Racing will have three of their four drivers in the Chase (Stewart, Kurt Busch, Harvick), and the big story there will be Tony Stewart in his final season making a Championship push (ala Jeff Gordon last year).
But one of the main focuses will be on the Toyota drivers, as all five full-time Toyota drivers have made the Chase (Kyle Busch, Edwards, Truex Jr., Hamlin and Kenseth).
The drivers who will be competing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup are:
- #18 Kyle Busch – Reigning Champion, looking to be a repeat…and with good odds of doing so
- #2 Brad Keselowski – 2012 Champion
- #11 Denny Hamlin
- #4 Kevin Harvick – 2014 Champion
- #19 Carl Edwards
- #78 Martin Truex Jr.
- #20 Matt Kenseth
- #48 Jimmie Johnson – 6-time Champion
- #22 Joey Logano
- #42 Kyle Larson
- #14 Tony Stewart – 3 time Champion
- #41 Kurt Busch – 2004 Champion
- #34 Chris Buescher – In his rookie year, qualifying with an August win at Pocono, he’s a likely first-round exit (watch me eat those words)
- #24 Chase Elliot
- #3 Austin Dillon
- #1 Jamie McMurray
Schedule:
Challenger Round
9/18 2:30PM – Chicago
9/25 2PM – New Hampshire
10/2 2PM – Dover
Contender Round
10/8 7PM – Charlotte
10/16 2:15PM – Kansas
10/23 2PM – Talladega
Eliminator Round
10/30 1PM – Martinsville
11/6 2PM – Texas
11/13 2:30PM – Phoenix
NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
11/20 2:30PM – Homestead-Miami
Aviously 