NASCAR playoff standings 2024: Updated points, scenarios for Cup Series after Bristol race

The Cup Series playoffs is approaching its first cull.

Sixteen of NASCAR's finest talents entered the postseason — a 10-race odyssey that sees drivers duel with superspeedways, short tracks and road courses alike — hoping for a chance at a title. With one race to go in the opening round, much of the field is still hoping to advance to the next step on the championship ladder: the Round of 12.

The site of the final race of the Round of 16, Bristol, has played host to a great number of Cup Series epics. One of those eye-catching contests took place earlier this year when Denny Hamlin outlasted Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the race's final paces to take home the checkered flag.

Hamlin and Truex — sitting six and 14 points, respectively, below the cut line entering into the race — could certainly use another strong day at the office to give themselves a shot at making the next round. They won't be alone, however. Of the 16 men taking part in postseason racing, 15 are still seeking a spot in the Round of 12. Get ready for fireworks.

With that, here's a look at the postseason standings heading into Saturday's race, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.

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NASCAR playoff standings 2024

Below is a current look at the top 16 drivers in the Cup Series playoff standings heading into Saturday's race at Bristol. This section will be updated at the conclusion of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.

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NASCAR playoff scenarios at Bristol

There may be just one race left in the Cup Series playoff Round of 16. That doesn't mean there isn't time for chaos to unfold. 

Excluding Joey Logano, whose win at Atlanta secured him an automatic spot in the Round of 12, none of the Cup Series playoff field has secured qualification into the next round of the postseason.

Some are closer than others — Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman find themselves 40-plus points to the good heading into Bristol. Nevertheless, there's a range of scenarios that could shake up the final Round of 16 standings once and for all.

If any of the remaining 15 playoff drivers who haven't yet clinched advancement into the Round of 12 were to win on Saturday, they would be in. Additionally, the likes of Bell, Cindric, Bowman and Daniel Suarez could potentially clinch if they earn enough stage points at the bottom four's expense.

Premature wrecks among postseason talents could also turn things on its head. If one of the top 16 were knocked out of a race in the first stage, for example, it would relegate them to a lowly finish in the 30s. Such a finish would likely prove disastrous, particularly for those whose grasp on Round of 12 status is separated by less than 30 points.

All of that is to say expect the unexpected come Saturday night. We know we will.

NASCAR playoff race schedule 2024

(All times Eastern)