Playoff Points: Charlotte 2 Edition

By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

Following each points race, Kickin’ the Tires takes a deep look at the current playoff grids for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, evaluating each team’s postseason odds and highlighting those that made steps in the right direction, as well as those who dug themselves into a hole. 

Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Event: Bank of America 500

Race Winner: Martin Truex Jr.

Stage Winner(s): Kevin Harvick (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• Martin Truex Jr.: If there was any doubt about whether Truex would get past the Round of 12 this season – and there wasn’t much – Truex and Furniture Row Racing quickly squashed that with a win in the round’s first race. He’ll be the only one resting easy at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.
• Kevin Harvick: He didn’t claim his second win of the season, but Harvick did tally 20 points and two playoff points in Sunday’s stages before finishing third – an effort that elevated the Californian to a 26-point cushion over playoff elimination.
• Chase Elliott: Charlotte saw a bridesmaid sweep for Elliott, with the sophomore finishing second in each stage before ending up in – you guess it – second when the checkered flag flew. It was another frustrating effort given Elliott’s continued quest for a first win, but the result elevated the Georgian from outside of the Round of 8 bubble to fourth in the standings.

Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Kyle Busch: Another frustrating trip to Charlotte left Busch struggling through heat exhaustion to a 29th-place result. The Nevadan is still in the top eight due to his healthy advantage in playoff points, but can’t afford additional issues in the next two races.
• Brad Keselowski: It was a quiet day for the 2012 Cup Series champion. Keselowski failed to tally stage points and ended a subpar showing in Charlotte with a 15th-place result, dropping below the playoff cut line in the process.
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Try as he might, Stenhouse couldn’t quite snag a top 10 in Charlotte, finishing 13th and leaving the weekend last among the remaining playoff drivers.. That means the Roush Fenway Racing shoe will need a near-perfect run at Talladega Superspeedway – the site of his first Cup Series win in the spring – if he hopes to make up his current 10-point gap and slide into the Round of 8.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

Safe (For Now)

• Martin Truex Jr.
  • Truex’s cruise to Homestead-Miami Speedway continues.

More Work to Do

• Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick

On the Bubble

• Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray

Within Reach 

• Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Likely Need to Win

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Playoff Totals

Season Totals