Playoff Points: Daytona 2 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: Daytona International Speedway

Event: Coke Zero 400

Race Winner: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

Stage Winner(s): Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth

Who Won Big

• Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.: Roush Fenway still has improvements to make on the majority of the circuit, but they’ve got restrictor plates down. Stenhouse claimed his second-consecutive plate win at Daytona, and in doing so bumped his playoff point total to 10, an addition that should provide him a small bit of cushion come the postseason.
• Clint Bowyer: Back-to-back runner-up results proved equal parts frustrating and helpful for Bowyer, who is still searching for his first win. Still, the No. 14 team has quietly built up a 27-point edge on the playoff bubble, critical as his competitors struggle with inconsistency.
• Everyone on the Playoff Bubble: Phew. With a host of hopeful first-time 2017 winners in the top 10, the latter moments of Saturday’s race must’ve proved panic-inducing for those drivers on the playoff bubble. Thankfully for them, Stenhouse’s spirited drive prevented another new victor.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Joey Logano: The 2015 Daytona 500 champion’s cumbersome summer continued with a 35th-place run in Florida, dropping Logano back out of the playoff field. It appears he, Matt Kenseth and Clint Bowyer may duel to Richmond for the finals spots in the field.
• Everyone Who Needs a Win to Make the Playoffs: While Stenhouse’s drive saved the playoff bubble drivers, it proved as a critical blow to the hopes of those drivers in the field that need a win for a postseason berth. From David Ragan to Paul Menard, Daytona was likely the best chance for a victory for many drivers in the back half of the top 30 in the standings. Stenhouse’s victory will likely be the death knell for their playoff hopes.
• Dale Earnhardt, Jr: He could be included in the list of drivers above, too, but Earnhardt’s loss stung worst given his pedigree at Daytona and comeback throughout the race. Could the soon-to-be-retired star still win? Definitely. But it’s difficult to find a track where the odds suited him like Daytona.

Playoff Standings: 

* One or more wins are encumbered

Where They Stand

(All But) Locked In

•  Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson, Martin Truex, Jr., Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.,  Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Austin Dillon.
  • Race Winners
• Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott

Safe (For Now)

• Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin
  • Hamlin gave himself what is essentially a full-race advantage on the playoff scrum with a top five in Sonoma. .

More Work to Do

• Clint Bowyer
  • Bowyer’s heading in the right direction, but it still one issue away from falling right back into the playoff bubble.

On the Bubble

• Matt Kenseth

Within Reach 

• Joey Logano, Erik Jones
  • Logano again falls out of the playoff grid, making his encumbered win matter that much more.
  • Jones lies on the cusp of contention, but needs strong runs throughout the summer if he intends to close the gap.

Likely Need to Win

• Daniel Suarez, Trevor Bayne, Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Ty Dillon, Paul Menard, Michael McDowell, Chris Buescher, A.J. Allmendinger, David Ragan, Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola.

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Season Totals