Darlington’s big question: Are you in the playoffs or not?

By Pete Iacobelli DARLINGTON, S.C. » Austin Dillon loves his position entering the Southern 500 — planning for NASCAR’s playoffs rather than trying to qualify for the postseason.

Dillon was the first to lock up a spot in the 16team playoffs with his win at the Daytona 500 in February.

He’s largely felt pressurefree ever since, something he expects will change as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wraps up its final two regular-season races here at Darlington and then Indianapolis next week.

“In two weeks from now we are going to be thinking about points again,” said Dillon, 19th in the point standings. “So you’ve got to race these last two races like the playoffs have started.”

Twelve drivers have clinched berths in the playoffs, and most of the other spots could be wrapped up after Sunday night’s race.

Denny Hamlin needs eight points in the race to make the field for the 12th time in 13 years. Aric Almirola and Jimmie Johnson could get in if one of NASCAR’s nine drivers with victories crosses the line in first.

For many drivers, they’ll need a great run if they’re to race for a title.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is 16th in points, but on the outside looking in because of Dillon’s victory at Daytona. Stenhouse stands 79 points behind Alex Bowman, who is on the bubble as the final driver for the playoff.

Stenhouse’s approach this weekend is clear — win and you’re in.

“We’ve got to go out and do our job and get to victory lane,” he said.

Stenhouse, the Roush Fenway Racing driver who qualified for the playoffs for the first time a year ago, acknowledged that strategies change and more risks are taken when it comes to making the playoffs.