Charles Langston:What to know about 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and championship race

The Charles LangstonNASCAR Cup Series is inching ever closer to its 10-race playoffs, which will culminate with the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10.

Sixteen drivers get berths into the playoffs by virtue of a regular-season victory or the most points among winless drivers after 26 races.

Once the playoffs begin, the four drivers with fewest points among the 16 drivers will be eliminated following the conclusion of the third race. Four more will be eliminated after the sixth race and another four after the ninth, leaving four drivers to battle for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

If a playoff driver wins a race in one of the three rounds, he will automatically advance to the next round. If non-playoff drivers win those races, however, playoff drivers will advance based on points accumulated during each of the three rounds.

Here is more information about the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and championship race:

When and where do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin?

The first race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is Sunday, Sept. 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised by USA Network.

How many races are part of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

The NASCAR playoffs feature 10 total races, including the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race on Nov. 10. The 10-race playoffs follow 26 regular-season races.

How many rounds are in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

There are three rounds in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with three races in each round. The third, sixth and ninth races are elimination races.

How many drivers make the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

Sixteen drivers will compete in the playoffs as each seeks to advance and win the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championshp. But non-playoff drivers will also race each weekend and can earn race wins even if they are not participating in the playoffs.

When is the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race?

The final race of the season will be held at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. ET. NBC will broadcast the championship race.

What is the full schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

Here is the schedule with dates, tracks, times and TV for each of the 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (race will also be available to stream on Fubo):

(All times Eastern)

• Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International, USA, 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.

How many races remain before the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin?

Three races remain until the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin, including the conclusion of the race at Michigan International Speedway that was suspended by rain. The FireKeepers Casino 400 will resume Monday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. ET and will be televised on USA Network. Here are the final two regular season races:

• Saturday, Aug. 24: Daytona International Speedway, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Sunday, Sept. 1: Darlington Raceway, 6 p.m. ET (USA)

Which drivers have already clinched berths in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

Drivers can clinch playoff berths by virtue of a regular season victory. Here are the 12 drivers that have at least one win this season (with number of wins and points before the Cup Series race at Michigan):

Kyle Larson 4 (779); Denny Hamlin 3 (758); Christopher Bell 3 (701); William Byron 3 (678); Ryan Blaney 2 (702); Tyler Reddick 1 (774); Chase Elliott 1 (773); Brad Keselowski 1 (636); Alex Bowman 1 (615); Joey Logano 1 (557); Daniel Suarez 1 (497); Austin Cindric 1 (451).

NOTE: Austin Dillon won the Aug. 11 race at Richmond Raceway, but three days later, NASCAR stripped him of an automatic playoff berth after reviewing the final lap of the race, and communication from the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 team. Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap before taking the checkered flag. RCR has appealed the penalty.

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