Playoff Points: Darlington Edition

By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

Following each regular season 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: Darlington Raceway

Event: Bojangles Southern 500

Race Winner: Denny Hamlin

Stage Winner(s): Martin Truex Jr. (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• Denny Hamlin: What a comeback – both in on-track and in the championship. Hamlin’s recovery from a 23-second gap after a pit road error was enough to give the Virginian his second victory of the year, and the additional five playoff points that accompany a win. Suddenly the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) veteran has a respectable 12 playoff points, with the potential to enter the postseason with 18 of them due to his points position.
• Martin Truex Jr.: Regular season champion, MTJ. As if Truex’s 16th and 17th stage wins weren’t enough, the New Jersey native also clinched the regular season championship at Darlington, giving him a staggering 52 confirmed stage points heading to Richmond International Raceway.
• Matt Kenseth: Once again Kenseth fell short of victory lane while his teammate battled for the victory, but the JGR veteran’s sixth-place finish helped him stay a part of the current three-way battle for the final three spots on the playoff bubble with Chase Elliott and Jamie McMurray. With the potential for a surprise winner next week still

Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Everyone Outside of the Current Playoff Grid: No one in need of a victory to make the playoffs came close at Darlington, with rookie Erik Jones serving as the only one to finish inside of the top 10.
• Clint Bowyer: Bowyer had managed to maintain an outside shot at playoff eligibility on points in the weeks before Darlington, but lost control of that possibility early on Sunday when his No. 14 was beset by mechanical issues in the opening laps of the Southern 500. He’ll need a win like any others outside of the playoffs if he wants to crack the postseason field.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

(All But) Locked In

• Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,  Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Austin Dillon
  • Race Winners

Safe (For Now)

• Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray
  • Safe on points as long as there isn’t a surprise winner.

More Work to Do

On the Bubble

Within Reach 

Likely Need to Win

• Clint Bowyer Joey Logano, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Trevor Bayne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Paul Menard, Ty Dillon, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, A.J. Allmendinger, Danica Patrick, David Ragan, Aric Almirola

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Season Totals