Chris Buescher jumps to third in the Active Drivers Rankings with a 1915 ELO rating (3.0.5) following the victory in the 2023 Cook Out 400 race at the Richmond Raceway on Sunday.
Following the 22nd race of the season, the following are the projected NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Drivers with their ELO ratings. Chase Elliott (1881) retains his distinction of the highest-rated driver projected to miss the playoff cut. There are currently four remaining races before the 2023 Playoffs begin.
PROJECTED 2023 NASCAR PLAYOFF DRIVERS
| RANK | DRIVER | 2023 WINS | ELO RATING |
| 1 | Martin Truex Jr | 3 | 1954 |
| 2 | William Byron | 4 | 1757 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 2 | 2041 |
| 4 | Kyle Busch | 3 | 1849 |
| 5 | Kyle Larson | 2 | 1743 |
| 6 | Ross Chastain | 1 | 1651 |
| 7 | Christopher Bell | 1 | 1733 |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | 1 | 1665 |
| 9 | Joey Logano | 1 | 1825 |
| 10 | Tyler Reddick | 1 | 1818 |
| 11 | Chris Buescher | 1 | 1915 |
| 12 | Kevin Harvick | 0 | 1887 |
| 13 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 | 1786 |
| 14 | Brad Keselowski | 0 | 1910 |
| 15 | Bubba Wallace | 0 | 1822 |
| 16 | Michael McDowell | 0 | 1730 |