NASCAR Playoffs Begin Darlington Without Clear Favorite

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin this weekend at Darlington Raceway with no clear favorite emerging, despite a highly competitive field. William Byron, the regular-season champion with consistent top finishes and the most laps led, is considered a strong contender along with Kyle Larson, the top seed who has three wins but hasn’t won since early May. Denny Hamlin, with four wins this season, faces a challenging playoff start after a poor finish at Daytona and ongoing legal battles involving his 23XI Racing team. Ryan Blaney’s late-season victory at Daytona secured his playoff spot and boosted his momentum, positioning him as a potential contender alongside other experienced drivers like Chase Elliott and Joey Logano. Rookie Shane van Gisbergen also adds intrigue, matching Hamlin with four wins, mostly on street and road courses. The wide-open nature of the playoffs means that experience, recent form, and consistency will all play crucial roles in determining who advances to the championship race in Phoenix.