The New Hampshire Motor Speedway stage delivered a decisive blow to the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture, eliminating six drivers from championship contention.
Playoff Drama at New Hampshire
Brad Keselowski clawed back twelve points, narrowing the gap from 78 to 66 points behind the cutoff, while Michael McDowell and Zane Smith managed only modest gains, moving from 104 to 102 and from 149 to 144 points respectively.
Erik Jones slipped from 81 to 96 points behind, A.J. Allmendinger from 125 to 130, and Todd Gilliland, despite winning the In‑Season Challenge, fell outside the top twenty and missed the playoffs.
Ryan Preece surged forward, dropping his deficit from 50 to 31 points, but a penalty at Texas left him just six points from elimination, keeping his hopes alive.
Ross Chastain’s DNF sent him tumbling from 63 to 81 points behind, extinguishing his title aspirations, while Ty Gibbs, the 2025 In‑Season Challenge champion, also missed the postseason later in the year.
Daytona’s Final Showdown
With the top thirteen drivers now locked in, only Preece and Keselowski remain in the hunt for the final three playoff spots; Keselowski can only claim the 16th position, as he cannot surpass Austin Cindric. The stakes will shift to Daytona International Speedway on August 29, where the Coca‑Cola 400 will be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, offering the last chance for those on the fringe to secure a spot.