Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney finished 10th and 39th, respectively, in the chaotic NASCAR playoff race at Talladega on Sunday (October 6). Both championship contenders are in safe positions heading into the Round of 12 elimination race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.But there are still scenarios that could lead to Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney’s playoff exit, and they need to race clean to avoid any last-minute drama or wreck. However, they can secure their spot in the semifinal round of playoffs based solely on points.Renowned NASCAR journalist and insider Bob Pockrass broke down the minimum points Hamlin and Blaney need to secure their berth in the NASCAR playoffs’ Round of 8, regardless of what the rest of the drivers do at Charlotte Roval this weekend.Hamlin, who is 30 points above the cutline, needs 38 more points to advance to the Round of 8, according to Pockrass, while Blaney has a 25 point-cushion and requires 43 points at Charlotte.Explaining the Charlotte Roval playoff elimination scenarios, Pockrass wrote on X (formerly Twitter),“No matter what anyone else does at Charlotte, Bell clinches with 11pts (26th with no stage pts), Larson with 16 (21st), Hamlin 38, Bowman 42, Blaney 43, Reddick 54.”After two wins by non-playoff drivers Ross Chastain and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the first two races of Round of 12, William Byron became the first playoff driver to clinch his spot in the semifinal round. He is currently leading the championship standings by 17 points over Christopher Bell.For drivers who are above the cutline, Pockgrass outlined the following respective scenarios after the Talladega race. Bell needs 11 points, meaning he can clinch his spot by finishing at least 26th with no stage points. Kyle Larson requires 16 points, Alex Bowman needs 42, and Tyler Reddick needs 54 points.How have Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney fared in the Round of 12?JGR veteran Denny Hamlin has had a solid performance in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 so far. He finished P8 and P10 at Kansas and Talladega, respectively. He is currently placed fourth in the Cup Series points table, 30 points above the elimination line.Ryan Blaney, meanwhile, faced more challenges than Hamlin but is in a slightly better position despite a DNF at Talladega. He scored a solid P4 finish at Kansas but had a disappointing outing at The Dega.The Penske driver was running for a solid points day until a push from Bowman sent his #12 Ford out of shape and wrecking into Chastain, Hamlin, and Logano on the final lap of Stage 2. As a result, it ended Blaney’s day early and he finished 39th in the 40-driver field.Blaney sits sixth in the Cup Series points table, 25 points above the elimination line.