NASCAR Playoffs 2021: Here’s 16-Driver Field, Schedule For First Round

First up: Darlington Raceway

by Dakota Randall | Aug 30, 2021 | 1 Min Read

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs finally have arrived.

With the conclusion of Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, which Ryan Blaney won, the 16-driver playoff field now is set. Kyle Larson enters the postseason with the lead in points, while defending champion Chase Elliott ranks fifth.

Here are the 16 drivers eligible for the NASCAR championship:

1. Kyle Larson
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Kyle Busch
5. Chase Elliott
6. Alex Bowman
7. Denny Hamlin
8. William Byron
9. Joey Logano
10. Brad Keselowski
11. Kurt Busch
12. Christopher Bell
13. Michael McDowell
14. Aric Almirola
15. Tyler Reddick
16. Kevin Harvick

There will be three races in the Round of 16.

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First up is next Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Richmond Raceway will host the second race Sept. 11, with the Sept. 18 race at Bristol Motor Speedway determining which drivers will advance to the Round of 12.

More Racing:

Brad Keselowski Eliminated From NASCAR Playoffs, Round Of 12 Set

About the Author

Dakota Randall

Plymouth State/Boston University product from Wolfeboro, NH, who now is based in Rhode Island. Have worked at NESN since 2016, covering the Patriots since 2021. Might chat your ear off about Disney World, Halo 2, and Lord of the Rings.

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