Shane van Gisbergen has done what few rookies have achieved and earned a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in his very first full-season campaign.
With four standout victories at Mexico, Sonoma, Chicago, and Watkins Glen this season, the Supercars ace has proven he can master both ovals and road courses. Now, all eyes are on how he handles the high-pressure, elimination-style playoffs, starting with the Round of 16.
How the NASCAR Playoffs Work 2025 Edition:
Think of the playoffs like a knockout tournamen, a season-long championship comes down to a 10-race sprint, where drivers get eliminated in stages until only four fight for the title in the final race.
Getting Into the Playoffs:
- 16 drivers make the playoffs.
- The main way to get in: win a race during the regular season (the first 26 races).
- If fewer than 16 different winners, the rest of the spots go to the driver with the highest points.
- Points are also used to rank everyone going into the playoffs. More wins, stage wins, and regular-season points = more playoff points (bonus cushion).
- Each driver starts with 2000 points + the play off points they have earned.
The Playoff Rounds:
There are 10 playoff races, split into four rounds:
- Round of 16 (3 races) → 4 drivers eliminated → 12 remain
- Round of 12 (3 races) → 4 eliminated → 8 remain
- Round of 8 (3 races) → 4 eliminated → 4 remain
- Championship 4 (1 race) → winner takes the title
How Drivers Advance:
- Win & you’re in: If a playoff driver wins a race in their round, they automatically advance to the next round.
- Otherwise, it comes down to points — the lowest-scoring drivers get cut.
The Final Race (Championship 4):
- At the last race (in 2025, it’s Phoenix Raceway), the final 4 drivers start on equal footing with 5000 points — no playoff points advantage.
- The driver who finishes highest among the four wins the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
Who are the drivers in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs?
- Kyle Larson – 2032 points
- William Byron – 2032 points
- Denny Hamlin – 2029 points
- Ryan Blaney – 2026 points
- Christopher Bell – 2023 points
- Shane van Gisbergen – 2022 points
- Chase Elliott – 2013 points
- Chase Briscoe 2010 points
- Bubba Wallace – 2008 points
- Austin Cindric – 2008 points
- Ross Chastain – 2007 points
- Joey Logano – 2007 points
- Josh Berry – 2006 points
- Tyler Reddick – 2006 points
- Austin Dillon – 2005 points
- Alex Bowman – 2002 points
Where SVG Stands Going Into the Playoffs:
- SVG starts the playoffs 6th on the grid with 2022 points, which gives him a small cushion but not a huge safety net.
- He’s only 20 points ahead of the cutoff line, meaning one bad race could put him in danger.
- Unlike veterans such as Kyle Larson or Denny Hamlin, Shane doesn’t have a deep bank of playoff points, so consistency will be key.
What SVG Needs to Advance to the Round of 12:
- Avoid Mistakes: Rookie playoff drivers often get tripped up by pit road penalties, crashes, or strategy missteps. Shane will need to keep his races clean and bring the car home in one piece.
- Stage Points Matter: Every stage finish inside the top 10 earns crucial points. Banking stage points could make the difference between advancing or getting cut.
- Top-10 Finishes: Consistently finishing inside the top 10 in the Round of 16 (Darlington, Kansas, Bristol) will keep him above the elimination line, even without a win.
- Survive Bristol: The Bristol Night Race is the cut-off for the Round of 16 and is notorious for chaos. Surviving, or better yet, excelling there is vital.
- A Win Secures Safety: If Shane can steal a win in one of these three races, he instantly locks himself into the Round of 12.
Why It’s a Big Test for SVG:
- This is Shane’s first year in the Cup Series playoffs, and many will be watching to see if the Supercars ace can handle the pressure.
- He’s proven himself with race wins already, but now it’s about showing he can manage a full playoff campaign against NASCAR’s most seasoned title fighters.
- Advancing to the Round of 12 would cement his status as not just a race-winning rookie, but a legitimate championship contender.
Header Image: Getty Images
