The crescendo to this year's Cup Series campaign has been building for weeks. Victories are finite. Glory is, too. And with just 16 playoff positions up for grabs and precious few races left, the pressure is on, especially for drivers yet to have hoisted a trophy this year.
The names circling around the equator are big ones: Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman all find themselves on the outside looking in as the regular season approaches its final act. Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs, meanwhile, are clinging onto postseason life. They'll be hoping for steady showings as they look to secure their first-ever playoff appearances.
The Cup Series is a wicked sorceress, fueled by the venom that surges up her veins. Add unruly weather and chunks of rubber debris into the mix and you have the makings of a regular season conclusion to live for.
MORE: Date, time, TV channels for every NASCAR Cup Series race in 2023
Here's what you need to know about this year's cut line as the season nears its hectic conclusion.
NASCAR playoffs standings 2023
Below is a current look at the top 16 drivers in the Cup Series playoff standings, based on regular season points. This section will be updated as the Cup Series campaign nears its conclusion.
| Rank | Driver | Points | Points over cut line |
| 1 | Martin Truex Jr.* | 799 | +0 |
| 2 | William Byron* | 742 | +0 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin* | 703 | +0 |
| 4 | Christopher Bell* | 677 | +0 |
| 5 | Kevin Harvick | 663 | +180 |
| 6 | Kyle Larson* | 662 | +0 |
| 7 | Ross Chastain* | 656 | +0 |
| 8 | Brad Keselowski | 651 | +168 |
| 9 | Kyle Busch* | 649 | +0 |
| 10 | Ryan Blaney* | 642 | +0 |
| 11 | Chris Buescher* | 639 | +0 |
| 12 | Joey Logano* | 636 | +0 |
| 13 | Tyler Reddick* | 609 | +0 |
| 14 | Bubba Wallace | 541 | +58 |
| 15 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr.* | 530 | +0 |
| 16 | Ty Gibbs | 486 | +3 |
* = clinched playoff spot with a win
NASCAR schedule 2023: Playoff races
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time | TV | Radio |
| Sept. 3 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway | 6 p.m. | USA | MRN |
| Sept. 10 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. | USA | MRN |
| Sept. 16 | Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. | USA | PRN |
| Sept. 24 | AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 | Texas Motor Speedway | 3:30 p.m. | USA | PRN |
| Oct. 1 | YellaWood 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Oct. 8 | Bank of America Roval 400 | Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval | 2 p.m. | NBC | PRN |
| Oct. 15 | South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 2:30 p.m. | NBC | PRN |
| Oct. 22 | NASCAR Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami | Homestead-Miami Speedway | 2:30 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Oct. 30 | Xfinity 500 | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Nov. 6 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
