NASCAR insiders debate 5 drivers outside NASCAR Playoffs that could win at Darlington
The final NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2024 regular season takes place on Sunday, and two insiders debated if a driver on the outside the playoff standings can win the Southern 500 at Darlington. Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic weighed in on five drivers who could be the 14th driver to clinch a playoff spot with a win.
On The Teardown podcast, Bianchi asked Gluck if Bubba Wallace could win on Sunday, and Gluck said no. Bianchi said Wallace has a chance to win but it’s not likely. The next driver mentioned was Kyle Busch, and Gluck said, “I don’t think Kyle Busch can go in win Darlington,” while also mentioning that the winner will likely be a “[Joe] Gibbs or [Rick] Hendrick car.”
Bianchi made the case for Busch to win the Southern 500. “He’s really, really good there. It’s a track that tends to favor veterans who know how to take care of the equipment, not make mistakes, save tires, that kind of thing,” Bianchi said. “We have seen a lot of speed out of their car since the break.”
How Bubba Wallace can win the NASCAR Darlington race
Ross Chastain was brought up next, and Gluck feels he has a shot if he gets a good car. Bianchi then mentioned Michael McDowell and Chase Briscoe as drivers who could win, but Gluck added he doesn’t see anyone else outside the playoff standings winning other than Chastain.
Gluck and Bianchi said a repeat winner will likely win the Darlington race. “I think a lot of things would have to fall into place, parts failures, guys having issues, that kind of thing for something to open the door,” Bianchi said.
“I think if you’re a Bubba Wallace, you’ve got to put yourself in position… I think it’s really imperative if you’re Bubba Wallace, you’re 21 points back, you need to go there and be like we need to get some points in Stage 1. We need to get as many points in Stage 1 as possible because we need to put the screws and the pressure on the 17 team. And then, they’re gonna have to respond in Stage 2, and maybe they make a mistake.”
The Southern 500 will start on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET and will air on USA. The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will begin the following Sunday (Sept. 8) with the Round of 16 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.