The NASCAR regular season concluded with surprising wins by Harrison Burton and Chase Briscoe at Daytona and Darlington, respectively. As the playoffs begin, powerhouses Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske dominate the field, comprising 11 of the 16 playoff spots. Briscoe, who secured a dramatic win at Darlington, will face tough competition from these top teams, which have won the past 10 championships. Hendrick Motorsports leads with drivers like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman, while Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske also have strong lineups. Briscoe's triumph gave the soon-to-be-closed Stewart-Haas Racing a notable final achievement. Despite recent upsets, experts predict that the established teams will continue to dominate the playoffs.