Playoff Points: Martinsville 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: Martinsville Speedway

Event: First Data 500

Race Winner: Kyle Busch

Stage Winner(s): Brad Keselowski (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• Kyle Busch: He was dominant early, but in the late stages Rowdy appeared to be en-route top a finish around fourth. Then, chaos ensued. Now Busch heads to Texas Motor Speedway with a win in-hand, securing a NASCAR-best third-consecutive berth into the Championship 4.
• Martin Truex Jr.: Truex was the lone contender who didn’t spring for heavy contact late to try to claim a win, which resulted in a second-place finish. However, while he didn’t win, Truex left Martinsville with a 67-point edge on the playoff bubble – enough to clinch a Championship 4 position with a good run in Texas – and did so without making any enemies in the process.
• Brad Keselowski: He didn’t earn what he declared a “must-win” on Sunday after a restart gone awry, but Keselowski did claim both stages and finish in the top five – giving himself a 29-point edge in the process.

Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Chase Elliott: What could have been. Elliott was leading late after moving Keselowski when heavy contact from Denny Hamlin sent him around. Now the sophomore remains winless, and trails a position in the top four by 26 points with just two races to make up ground.
• Denny Hamlin: Coming to the white flag, it looked like Hamlin might be on his way to a pivotal Martinsville victory. Instead he was sent backwards by Busch, spun off of Ryan Blaney’s bumper and left his home state with an eight-point gap on the Championship 4. Given that, and any potential payback from Elliott for their run-in, Hamlin’s run at Martinsville was ultimately a net loss.
• Jimmie Johnson: He didn’t have a horrible day at Martinsville, but Johnson fell short of contention in what was likely he and Hendrick Motorsports’ best shot at winning their way to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Now Johnson will need a win or strong runs at Texas – one of his best tracks – and Phoenix Raceway to keep his chase for an eight title alive.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

Safe (For Now)

• Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr.
  • Busch stamped his third-straight Championship 4 ticket with a win in Martinsville.
  • Truex’s second-place result has him one good run from clinching a spot in the Championship 4.

More Work to Do

• Brad Keselowski
  • With a 29-point edge, Keselowski can afford one minor issues and stay afloat. That said, anything catastrophic could still be fatal to his title hopes.

On the Bubble

• Kevin Harvick

Within Reach 

• Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin
  • Hamlin was one lap from a victory in Martinsville, but dropped back after contact with Busch. Now he’ll need another good result to jump into the top four.

Likely Need to Win

• Chase Elliott
  • How quickly things change. Elliott appeared poised for his first win until contact with Hamlin sent him around. Now Elliott will likely need a win to stay afloat.

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Playoff Totals

Season Totals