It’s late September, and that means the playoff picture is starting to get real. Every point matters, every pit stop feels bigger, and the Hendrick boys are right in the fight. Chase, Larson, Bowman, and Byron are all still swinging, and the road ahead is loaded with chances to make something happen.
Current Playoff Standings (Cup Series)
Here’s where things stand going into the Kansas race weekend (Round of 12):
| Position | Driver | Manufacturer | Notes / Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Blaney | Ford | Leading the cutline (already advanced from Round of 16) |
| 2 | William Byron | Chevrolet | +47 points over cutoff |
| 3 | Kyle Larson | Chevrolet | +41 points |
| 4 | Christopher Bell | Toyota | +29 points |
| 5 | Denny Hamlin | Toyota | +27 points |
| 6 | Joey Logano | Ford | +24 points |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | Chevrolet | +14 points |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe | Toyota | +12 points |
| — Cutoff — | — | — | Elimination after Round of 12 (Charlotte ROVAL) |
NASCAR Cup Series: Crunch Time for the Big Four
The Cup Series has reached the teeth of the playoffs, and Hendrick Motorsports is right in the middle of the action.
Round of 12 to Round of 8
- Sept 28 – Kansas
- Oct 5 – Charlotte ROVAL
Kansas is the kind of track where Larson can flex his muscle, while Byron’s steady hand usually pays off with a strong finish. Then it’s the ROVAL, and that’s Chase Elliott territory. If the 9 car needs a win to advance, he’s got the track to do it.
Round of 8 to Championship 4
- Oct 12 – Las Vegas
- Oct 19 – Talladega
- Oct 26 – Martinsville
This stretch is brutal. Larson will be the favorite at Vegas, but Talladega is survival mode for everyone. Then there’s Martinsville, where Bowman has the best shot to remind everyone that the 48 can still throw punches.
Championship Race
- Nov 2 – Phoenix
Phoenix decides it all, and if multiple Hendrick cars make the Championship 4, we could be watching a blue-and-white showdown for the ages. Byron has been the picture of consistency here, but never count out Larson or Elliott when everything’s on the line.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Chevy Kids Carry the Banner
No full-time Hendrick cars in this series, but Chevy pride is still at stake every week, and it matters. The young guns carrying the bowtie will be looking to knock Toyota down a peg on their way to Phoenix.
Round of 12 to Round of 8
- Sept 27 – Kansas
- Oct 4 – Charlotte ROVAL
Round of 8 to Championship 4
- Oct 11 – Las Vegas
- Oct 18 – Talladega
- Oct 25 – Martinsville
Championship Race
- Nov 1 – Phoenix
Xfinity always delivers the chaos before Cup, and this stretch is no exception. Road courses, superspeedways, short tracks — if you want to be champion, you’ve got to master them all.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Chevy vs. Toyota
The Truck Series is deep into the playoffs, and the next few races are going to decide who makes it to Phoenix.
Round of 8 to Championship 4
- Oct 3 – Charlotte ROVAL
- Oct 17 – Talladega
- Oct 24 – Martinsville
Championship Race
- Oct 31 – Phoenix
Chevy’s got a chance to spoil Toyota’s dominance, and that Halloween night finale under the desert lights could be the perfect bowtie party.
Why Hendrick Fans Should Be Excited
Here’s the bottom line: this schedule fits Hendrick like a glove. Elliott at the ROVAL, Larson at Vegas, Bowman at Martinsville, Byron everywhere in between. There’s a path for all four to stay alive deep into October, and maybe — just maybe — we get multiple Hendrick cars in Phoenix with a shot at the Cup.
It’s all still in play. And for Hendrick fans, that’s exactly how we like it.
NASCAR TV schedule 2025
“How to watch NASCAR in 2025: Weekly listings guide” — NASCAR.com
