Playoff Points: Las Vegas II 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: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Event: South Point 400

Race Winner: Brad Keselowski

Stage Winner(s): Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth

Who Won Big

• Brad Keselowski: Another week, another win. Keselowski scored his third-straight victory in Las Vegas, guaranteeing himself a spot in the Round of 12 and securing six more playoff points to use in the round along the way.
• Martin Truex Jr: The disappointment of finishing third with that he thought to be the best car stung, but Truex still claimed a stage win and took over the points lead with a third-place run at Las Vegas.
• Kyle Larson, Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon: Their days varied — Larson contended, Almirola surged late and Dillon survived for a passable result — but the end result was the same for this trio. By surviving a race that proved chaotic for playoff contenders, they each jumped well inside of the Round of 12 in the standings.

Who Hurt Their Odds

• Erik Jones and Denny Hamlin: A pair of mid-race crashes sent this Joe Gibbs Racing duo to the bottom of the playoff standings, with a hefty point total to make up in the next two races. Given the unpredictable nature of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, they’ll each want to make up as many points as they can this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
• Hendrick Motorsports: A strong opening gave way to disappointment for the Hendrick Motorsports playoff trio of Jimmie Johnson, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott. All three were set back by contact, leaving them on both sides of the playoff bubble at race’s end. Bowman is in by six points, with Johnson and Elliott the first two out.
• Clint Bowyer: His playoff point total saved him, but Bowyer’s 23rd-place run have him just seven points to the good heading to Richmond.

 Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Season Totals