While the Cup Series’ regular season comes to a conclusion this weekend in Indianapolis, the Xfinity Series still has two races before its 12-driver playoff field is settled.
The first of those two races is Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN).
Four spots remain to be finalized in the playoff field. The drivers who have already clinched via a win or points are: Tyler Reddick (four wins, standings leader), Christopher Bell (six wins), Cole Custer (six wins), Austin Cindric (two wins), Chase Briscoe (one win), Michael Annett (one win), Justin Allgaier (points) and Noah Gragson (points).
Reddick, the defending series champion, can lock up the regular-season title and 15 playoff points this weekend.
He’ll clinch the title if he leaves Indy with a 61-point lead above second place. He currently holds a 51-point lead on Bell.
Here are the three other drivers who can clinch a playoff spot this weekend and their clinching scenarios.
Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing No. 11 Chevrolet (+88 points above cutline) – The rookie driver would clinch with a win or would clinch on points with 45 points and a new winner. If there is a repeat winner (or a win by Allgaier, Gragson, John Hunter Nemechek or Brandon Jones), he would clinch on points with 23 points.
Haley will be making his first start at IMS.
John Hunter Nemechek, GMS Racing No. 23 Chevrolet (+35 points) – Would clinch with a win or could clinch on points with help.
Making his second start at IMS. Finished 25th last year after being involved in an incident.
Brandon Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota (+22 points) – Would clinch with a win or could clinch on points with a repeat winner (or a win by Allgaier, Gragson, Haley or Nemechek) and help.
Jones has made three series starts at Indianapolis, posting three top 10s and an average finish of 9.7.
Every other driver in the series can only clinch a spot this weekend via a win.
Ryan Sieg currently holds the 12th and final playoff spot with 647 points.
Behind him is Gray Gaulding, who trails Sieg by 119 points.