Ranking 10 drivers who could claim final NASCAR playoff spots

3. Kyle Busch

Nobody on this list has the experience Busch does as a two-time champion (2015, 2019) and a 63-race winner in the Cup Series. Busch made a significant move as he joined Richard Childress Racing in 2023 and saw instant success with three wins and a 14th-place finish in the points standings. The 2024 season has been anything but successful for Busch though, as he is nearly 100 points shy of a playoff spot currently. The driver of the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet has had a couple of close calls this year at Atlanta and Dover, but those are his only top-fives while he has only finished in the top 10 five other times. Still, someone with Busch’s talent and experience can turn things around quickly, and with past wins at each of the six tracks left on the schedule, the 39-year-old remains a strong bet to continue his playoff streak.