With just three races remaining in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, 11 drivers have already clinched their spot in the postseason, which means five spots are still available. Despite being tied for the overall points lead heading into the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, which will be held on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin is not one of the 11 to have clinched a spot in the final 16. But there are a couple of different scenarios in which he could earn his spot this Sunday, one of which is obviously winning the race.

But Hamlin isn’t the only one who could snag one of the final five spots with a victory. So let’s take a quick look at the points standings heading into the Verizon 200 as well as the NASCAR playoff-clinching scenarios that could play out at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series points standings heading into the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Here’s a look at how the NASCAR Cup Series points standings look heading into the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Those in bold have won at least one race this season, while those in bold AND with an asterisk have already qualified for the NASCAR playoffs.

*Kyle Larson: 917Denny Hamlin: 917*William Byron: 786*Kyle Busch: 779*Joey Logano: 760*Chase Elliott: 749*Martin Truex Jr.: 740*Ryan Blaney: 712Kevin Harvick: 710*Brad Keselowski: 678*Alex Bowman: 633Tyler Reddick: 630Austin Dillon: 615*Kurt Busch: 576*Christopher Bell: 571Chris Buescher: 495Matt DiBenedetto: 483Ross Chastain: 482Michael McDowell: 464Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: 442Bubba Wallace: 440Chase Briscoe: 411Daniel Suarez: 407Aric Almirola: 398Erik Jones: 371Ryan Newman: 366Ryan Preece: 366Cole Custer: 356Corey Lajoie: 282Anthony Alfredo: 233Josh Bilicki: 111James Davison: 104Quin Houff: 101Jamie McMurray: 30Scott Heckert: 20Kyle Tilley: 15Mike Marlar: 6Chris Windom: 4David Ragan: 4R.C. Enerson: 3Shane Golobic: 1Ryan Eversley: 1Derrike Cope: 1

NASCAR playoffs clinching scenarios at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo at a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race in September 2018 | Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Here’s a look at the different NASCAR playoff-clinching scenarios that could play out at the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Drivers who can clinch with a victory alone

Denny HamlinKevin HarvickTyler ReddickAustin DillonMichael McDowellAric Almirola

Drivers who can clinch with a victory but need help

Chris BuescherMatt DiBenedettoRoss Chastain

Drivers who can clinch via points

If the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is won by a repeat winner or by a driver who has no chance of advancing to the NASCAR playoffs, Denny Hamlin would clinch a spot by being 111 points ahead of the second winless driver in the points standings regardless of where he finishes in the race.

Drivers who can clinch via previous victories

If the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is won by a repeat winner or Denny Hamlin, Michael McDowell and Aric Almirola would clinch a spot regardless of where they finish in the race.

If the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is won by a new winner, Michael McDowell could clinch a spot with help. Aric Almirola would clinch a spot if that new winner is Corey Lajoie or another driver lower than 29th in the NASCAR points standings.

How to watch the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

The Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will take place this Sunday, August 15, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. The race will air on NBC and can also be streamed on the NBC Sports app.

The penultimate race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular season takes place August 22 with the running of the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. And the season comes to an end on Saturday, August 28, with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Stats courtesy of NASCAR.com

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