Overview

• Shane van Gisbergen is tied with Denny Hamlin for the season lead at four wins, has clinched Rookie of the Year, and is the only rookie in the Playoffs.
• The Round of 16 features three ovals — Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol — with no road courses, and he has yet to record a top‑10 finish on an oval.
• He starts the postseason seeded sixth with 20 playoff points and a 16‑point buffer over the cutline.
• Van Gisbergen welcomed the underdog label, said the pressure feels off, and noted Darlington’s precision suits his driving style.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. voiced cautious optimism that modest finishes could send him to the Round of 12, as analysis suggests a run of top‑15s may be enough after recent 14th (Richmond) and 16th (Daytona) results.