Following Watkins Glen, Playoff Lock Scenarios at Daytona

With a repeat winner at the Glen, Wallace continues to hold the one spot remaining for the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs. 

Credit: WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 20: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 20, 2023 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

With Byron's win at the Glen, Keselowski and Harvick are locked into the 2023 Playoffs. That leaves just 1 single spot, that sport is currently held by Bubba Wallace. Wallace leaves Watkins Glen 4 points better than he entered the race, but that does not make the Playoff spot his. Wallace, currently searching for the first Playoff appearance in his career, is going to one of his best tracks this upcoming weekend at Daytona. Ty Gibbs sits only 32 Points behind him with Suarez 43 points back. A grave miscalculation on fuel mileage has cut fan favorite Chase Elliott from the bubble back to 21st. ​Let's look at the Playoff clinching scenarios for this weekend's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. 

Bubba Wallace. 

With a repeat winner. Bubba Wallace can score 0 Stage Points and finish P.13 and lock himself in regardless of any other driver's positions or points. He only needs 24 Points on the day or a win

Ty Gibbs 

With a repeat winner. Gibbs can clinch a Playoff spot as a Rookie with 33 Points over Wallace at Daytona or a win

Daniel Suarez

With a repeat winner. Daniel Suarez needs to score 43 Points on Wallace (Suarez has the tiebreaker) so he will need to score big Stage Points and a great finish or a win

Allmendinger, Bowman...... Win

Playoff Bubble: Top-20 not locked into the playoffs

By: Tom Luttermoser