16 drivers advanced into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. And tonight, the 2025 playoffs officially began with the green flag at Darlington Raceway.
Playoff driver Josh Berry started 3rd in his first career playoff attempt. But, he’s now sitting in the garage after a crash on the opening lap.
Watch the NASCAR crash video below.
As Berry went into turn two for the first time, the car bottomed out. He wiggled and chased it up the track into the side of another playoff driver, Tyler Reddick.
Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch and others were also collected in the crash.
Berry backed his No. 21 car hard into the outside wall. He picked up major damage and drove it right to the garage.
Reddick rode his right rear on the outside wall but picked up minor damage. And with that move, he might have saved his chances of advancing out of the opening round of the playoffs.
Only three races are in the opening round. After those races, the bottom four drivers will be eliminated from the 2025 Playoffs.
The race is currently underway.
Note: Points ahead of Darlington
(Race 1 of 3 in the Round of 16)
| Pos | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Larson | +26 |
| 2 | William Byron | +26 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | +23 |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney | +20 |
| 5 | Christopher Bell | +17 |
| 6 | Shane van Gisbergen | +16 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | +7 |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe | +4 |
| 9 | Bubba Wallace | +2 |
| 10 | Austin Cindric | +2 |
| 11 | Ross Chastain | +1 |
| 12 | Joey Logano | +1 |
— Round of 12 Cutline —
| Pos | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Josh Berry | -1 |
| 14 | Tyler Reddick | -1 |
| 15 | Austin Dillon | -2 |
| 16 | Alex Bowman | -5 |
