Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain are the only two drivers on the outside looking in who can mathematically make the NASCAR Cup Series postseason on points.
The regular season comes to an end next weekend at Darlington Raceway and three spots remain unclaimed. Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, and Chris Buescher sit in those positions.
Wallace is the first driver below the cutline going into Darlington at a 21-point deficit. Chastain is 27 points below a transfer spot.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1428]
“You have one [23XI Racing] car fighting for a regular season championship and another car right around the bubble,” Wallace said after finishing fifth at Daytona. “It’s unacceptable. I’ll take all of that weight on my shoulders – should have won multiple times this year and we haven’t. We don’t deserve to be here, and we are.
“I’ve got to go win next week. That’s it.”
Harrison Burton pushed Wallace further behind in the hunt by winning at Daytona and moving into a spot on the playoff grid. Entering the weekend, Wallace was one point behind Chastain.
Chastain finished 12th, salvaging the night after being involved in an early crash.
“I look at it like we have another chance to go win the Southern 500,” the Trackhouse Racing driver said. “That’s what I’m focused on this week. The points, they give them out at the stages and end of the race. If you run well, they give you a lot of them. I just get excited for a chance to go win the Southern 500.”
Wallace and Chastain both made the postseason last year.
The playoff grid battle going into Darlington:
14: Martin Truex Jr. + 58
15: Ty Gibbs + 39
16: Chris Buescher + 21
Those in a must-win situation to make the postseason include Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.