We're looking more closely at the point standings in NASCAR this year. That's by design, it's what the sport wanted, and it's going to mean more little check-ins like this where we point out things that might not be significant at the end of the 26-week regular season...but are worth watching.

We're not going use these to tell you that Tyler Reddick's 121-point advantage to the cut line is a good thing (it is) or that Cody Ware (33rd, 37 points, 31 back from 16th) probably won't make the Chase. Those things are obvious, and you aren't an idiot.

[Just checking: are you an idiot? You're not, right? Legally, you have to say if you are. We need to make sure we're writing for the right audience here]

What we will do here is look at the drivers with bona fide playoff hopes or expectations who are meaningfully below the cut line as things stand. 'Meaningfully below' will obviously change as we go through the year and things take shape, but as we stand after three races...

NASCAR STANDINGS: Reddick continues to dominate as Cup Series drivers suffer big demotions

Alex Bowman (36th, 45 points outside)

For what it's worth, we think the 'Bowman the Slowman' nickname is very mean, and doesn't scan as well as it could.

That being said, the fact that the name exists – convenient maybe, but still – points to a few truths about the man firmly ensconced as 'the fourth Hendrick driver'. He's not a fan favorite, and he just seems to lack the raw pace required by his elevated drive. They're not calling him an idiot. They're not calling him reckless, or saying he crashes a lot. The perception is that he's slow.

When the green flag drops at Phoenix on Sunday, Bowman will have one race win in the last four calendar years. In a Hendrick Motorsports car. An average of under eight points per race this year through COTA (where he may have performed better if not for a nasty illness) isn't turning that situation around.

Ultimately, Alex Bowman isn't just driving for his spot in the Chase this year, he's driving for his job. And he's already 45 points outside the cut line.

Austin Cindric (31st, 29 points outside)

It's impossible to ever know exactly how much Cindric's father Tim being high up in the Team Penske hierarchy had on his position in their NASCAR team, but...well, the sport isn't exactly shy about its nepotistic practices. It's fair to wonder.

It's also fair, therefore, to wonder about Cindric's job security after his father's unceremonious defenestration from Penske World last year. He's since come back as Scott McLaughlin's IndyCar race strategist, but he's clearly no longer a big swinging you-know-what.

The No. 2 Penske car only finished outside the championship top ten twice in 11 years with Brad Keselowski behind the wheel. It won a title. It never missed the postseason.

With Cindric in place, it's four for four in finishing outside the top ten. There are no titles. There was a missed playoff berth in 2023. A yearly average of more than three race wins a year is down to 0.75, at an organization that's won three of the four championships since Cindric signed.

You get the idea. The fact that he's already well off the pace is a very, very bad sign – and he can't be saved by a win-and-in this year.

Chase Briscoe (27th, 22 points outside)

Speaking for the Oval Insider editorial staff as a whole: we are not worried about Chase Briscoe. His start to the season hasn't been ideal, but without a catastrophic transaxle failure at COTA he could well be above the cut line right now.

He certainly could continue in underwhelming form and struggle to make it back up to the top 16, but we'd bet against it after a third place championship finish in his debut season at JGR.

Something to keep an eye on? Sure. But don't sound the alarm just yet.

Connor Zilisch (32nd, 31 points outside)

Just as we aren't concerned about Chase Briscoe, we aren't concerned about Connor Zilisch being outside the top 16 – except for a completely different reason.

We do not expect Connor Zilisch to make the playoffs this year. He's essentially taking over Daniel Suarez's seat (no postseason in 2025), and he's about 12 years old.

The fact that Zilisch is outside the playoffs is technically notable given that Ross Chastain’s been a playoff guy in three of four seasons with the team and Shane van Gisbergen currently sits fifth, but...well, whatever the opposite of a make-or-break season is, this is that for the driver they call Godzilisch.

2026 is all about development, gaining experience and comfort in the Cup car, and learning the level of the best stock car drivers in the world. Anything else is a bonus.

READ MORE: NASCAR rookie of the year secured, but...let's check in on Connor Zilisch