NASCAR Cup Playoffs: Who are all the non-Playoff drivers who claimed Upset wins?

NASCAR Cup Playoffs: Non-Playoff Drivers Who Claimed Upset Wins: Since the inception of the current NASCAR Playoffs format in 2017, the competition has consistently been fierce, with 16 drivers battling through three rounds of eliminations for a shot at the championship.

However, it hasn't always gone as planned for the Playoff contenders. Over the years, non-Playoff drivers have managed to steal key victories, disrupting the title race. Let’s explore the ten most significant NASCAR Playoff upsets from 2017 onward.

Top 10 NASCAR Playoff Upsets by Non-Playoff Drivers

10. Ross Chastain – 2024 Hollywood Casino 400

One of the more recent and surprising upsets came in 2024, when Ross Chastain, who missed out on the Playoffs, clinched victory at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. This win ended a long winless streak of over 30 races for Chastain. Perhaps his most notable upset, though, came at the 2023 Championship finale in Phoenix, where he outdueled Playoff driver Ryan Blaney to win the race. Although Blaney finished second, it was enough for him to claim the Cup Series title. This marked the first time in Playoffs history that the championship winner didn’t secure the final race victory.

9. Chris Buescher – 2022 Bass Pro Shops Night Race

Another major spoiler in recent NASCAR history is Chris Buescher. In 2024, Buescher took a surprise win at Watkins Glen, a race where many had predicted road-course specialist Shane Van Gisbergen to dominate. Buescher has a history of Playoff upsets, including his win at the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol. That victory eliminated several drivers from advancing to the next round, including top names like Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick.

8. A. J. Allmendinger – 2023 Charlotte Roval

Known for his prowess on road courses, A. J. Allmendinger delivered a significant upset in the 2023 Charlotte Roval event. This race, the final one in the Round of 12, saw five cautions in the last 31 laps. Allmendinger skillfully maneuvered through the chaos to secure his third-ever Cup Series win, knocking out contenders such as Bubba Wallace and Kyle Busch from advancing to the next stage.

7. Bubba Wallace – 2021 YellaWood 500

In 2021, Bubba Wallace made history by winning the rain-shortened YellaWood 500 at Talladega. The victory was notable for multiple reasons: it was Wallace’s first Cup Series win, and he became the first African-American driver to win a Cup race since Wendell Scott in 1963. Although Wallace wasn’t in the Playoffs that year, his win threw off the plans of Playoff drivers looking for a guaranteed spot in the next round.

6. Erik Jones – 2022 Southern 500 at Darlington

The 2022 Playoffs kicked off with the Southern 500 at Darlington. On lap 344, Playoff driver Kyle Busch experienced an engine failure just after a restart, which handed the lead to Erik Jones of Petty GMS Motorsports. Jones capitalized on the opportunity, leading the remaining laps to secure a surprise win.

5. Tyler Reddick – 2022 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500

In the first race of the Round of 12 at Texas Motor Speedway, Tyler Reddick clinched the victory. Although Reddick had qualified for the Playoffs, he was eliminated in the Round of 16. Despite no longer being in contention for the championship, his Texas win was a testament to his skill and perseverance, though it came too late to impact the title race.

4. Kyle Larson – 2022 Homestead-Miami

Defending NASCAR champion Kyle Larson had a challenging 2022 Playoffs campaign. He managed to progress to the Round of 12 but was eliminated before the Round of 8. However, Larson bounced back by winning at Homestead-Miami, showcasing that even former champions can play spoiler once they’re out of the title race.

3. Alex Bowman – 2021 Xfinity 500 at Martinsville

In 2021, Alex Bowman qualified for the Playoffs but failed to advance past the Round of 12. Nevertheless, he made his presence felt by winning the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville. In doing so, he controversially bumped Denny Hamlin out of the way to secure the win, which ultimately disrupted the championship hopes of drivers like Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.

2. Kyle Busch – 2020 Texas Motor Speedway

During the 2020 season, Kyle Busch was consistent but did not secure a win during the Playoffs. After being eliminated from title contention following the Round of 12, Busch bounced back and took victory at Texas Motor Speedway during the Round of 8. The win may not have helped his championship chase, but it ended his winless streak for the season.

1. Matt Kenseth – 2017 Can-Am 500 at Phoenix

Veteran driver Matt Kenseth qualified for the Playoffs in 2017, but his run ended in the Round of 8. However, Kenseth had one last trick up his sleeve, winning the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix, eliminating several drivers from Playoff contention, including Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Jimmie Johnson. This race also marked Kenseth’s final career victory, bringing his overall win count to 39.

These unexpected wins by non-Playoff drivers underscore the unpredictable nature of NASCAR, where any driver can seize victory, even in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Playoffs. This makes every race exciting as fans witness upsets that reshape the championship landscape.