Bubba Wallace has secured the 16th and final spot in the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs following the regular season finale at Daytona.
The 23XI Racing was guaranteed the spot if either he won the race or there was not a new winner with over half the field entering the race harbouring hopes of snatching the spot.
In the end, Chris Buescher would win for his third victory of the campaign, meaning Wallace secured his place on points as Hendrick Motorsports duo Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman both missed out after missing races earlier in the season due to injury.
Martin Truex Jr picked up the regular season championship for the second time in his career.
There were 13 winners (not including Shane van Gisbergen) in total, meaning three Playoff spots went to drivers who qualified on points.
As well as Wallace - who drives for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing - the other two places went to Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski.
Harvick advanced through in his final Cup season while Keselowski qualifies for the first time since 2021 and his Team Penske days having missed the cut during his first year as driver-owner at his Roush Fenway Keselowski outfit.
Below is a full list of the 16 drivers who have qualified for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Playoffs, listed by when they clinched their place.
Although van Gisbergen won the Chicago street race for Trackhouse Racing, as he is not competing in a full season, he is not eligible for a Playoff berth.
The 16 drivers who qualified for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Playoffs
Driver | Team | Wins |
---|---|---|
Ricky Stenhouse Jr | #47 JTG Daugherty | 1 - Daytona 500 |
Kyle Busch | #8 Richard Childress Racing | 3 |
William Byron | #24 Hendrick Motorsports | 5 |
Joey Logano | #22 Team Penske | 1 |
Tyler Reddick | #45 23XI Racing | 1 |
Kyle Larson | #5 Hendrick Motorsports | 2 |
Christopher Bell | #20 Joe Gibbs Racing | 1 |
Martin Truex Jr | #19 Joe Gibbs Racing | 3 |
Denny Hamlin | #11 Joe Gibbs Racing | 2 |
Ryan Blaney | #12 Team Penske | 1 |
Ross Chastain | #1 Trackhouse Racing | 1 |
Chris Buescher | #17 Roush Fenway Keselowski | 3 |
Michael McDowell | #34 Front Row Motorsports | 1 |
Kevin Harvick | #4 Stewart Haas Racing | 0 - on points |
Brad Keselowski | #6 Roush Fenway Keselowski | 0 - on points |
Bubba Wallace | #23 23XI Racing | 0 - on points |
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