With a flurry of debate surrounding them, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are upon us. Whether you like the format or not, it’s time for 16 drivers to battle for the crown, with cuts along the way to 12, 8 and 4 remaining combatants.

Even with playoff points in the mix, everything is very tight as we begin the playoffs at the Lady in Black. Co-leaders Kyle Larson and William Byron are just 26 points ahead of the cut line entering the first round — which will take place at Darlington, Gateway and Bristol. All it will take is a quick Darlington stripe to knock someone from the points lead to below the cut line.

Read on for my full playoff predictions as we enter this 10-week battle.

Round of 16: Darlington, Gateway, Bristol

The big question as we start the playoffs is whether any of the drivers below the cut line will be able to claw their way out of danger and push others into that predicament. The points are so close, that of course this can happen, even in week 1, but once the three weeks are complete, I predict that only one of the four currently below the cutline (Tyler Reddick) will survive and move on.