As the 2024 NASCAR Cup playoffs have entered the Round of 8, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin shed light on how the playoff standings affect the bonus payments teams receive. Hamlin, while discussing his 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick advancing to the last eight, revealed that teams can gain significant financial rewards based on their progression in the playoffs.
Hamlin explained that NASCAR awards teams $135,000 more per position that they move up in the playoffs. This amount is separate from the year-end purse, which also contributes to the overall payout based on the final standings.
“You basically can say the car will bring in about $135,000 more per position that you move up. Now, that doesn’t include the year-end purse. That’s a number as well, I just don’t know it off of my head. Every position you can move up is an extra $135,000,” Hamlin said.
The driver of the No. 11 Toyota added that if a driver is eliminated before the Championship 4, they will still be ranked by their points earned across the 10 playoff races. This ranking helps determine the final payout for those drivers and teams, meaning even after elimination, there’s a financial incentive to perform well in the remaining races.
“But if Tyler [Reddick] were to get eliminated, not go to the final four, he’ll get reorganized back in the points with the other 12 that didn’t make the final four. They all get reseeded based off of how they did for the entire 10 weeks,” Hamlin explained.
The playoff standings took an unexpected turn after Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports was disqualified following the Roval race, pushing Reddick into the next round by a slim margin. Before Bowman’s DQ, Reddick was just one point above the cutoff. The disqualification altered the playoff picture and allowed Reddick to advance.
“This goes back to Kyle Larson missing Charlotte. So, actually, the 5 car won the owners’ championship in the regular season, and Tyler Reddick won the drivers’. Tyler Reddick the driver had five more points than what the car had. He made the cut by four points. Well, the car was one point shy. So, that was all pre-Alex Bowman DQ, and now everything changes. For now,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin hopes that the disqualification ruling will stand, as it has given his team a significant advantage in the playoffs. As the playoff saga unfolds, the appeal process could change the standings, and all eyes are now on whether Reddick can capitalize on the opportunity.
