NASCAR’s 2024 playoffs have been reshaped by a new points‑based format that replaces the historic win‑and‑in knockout system, marking the first major overhaul of the postseason since 2013 and applying to all 16 playoff contenders.
Playoff Format Overhaul
Denny Hamlin, the veteran driver from Joe Gibbs Racing, entered the Chase with a commanding 2,100‑point lead, yet the revised scoring has stripped away 3,440 points from his tally, narrowing his advantage to Chase Briscoe to just 45 points.
Ryan Blaney, who was once within a quarter‑point of Hamlin, now trails by roughly a hundred points, while Ryan Preece has surged from 405 points behind to merely 100 after a 305‑point gain. Ty Gibbs, also part of the Joe Gibbs Racing contingent, has benefitted from the bonus‑point distribution and narrowed his own gap to Hamlin.
Chase Briscoe, the two‑time Darlington Southern 500 champion, has posted the most dramatic percentage increase, collecting a 221‑point boost that reduces his deficit to Hamlin from 266 points to 45, an 83.08 % rise that tops the leaderboard among playoff drivers.
The postseason begins with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, where Briscoe will aim to capitalize on his momentum as the new format continues to rewrite the championship narrative.