Playoff Points: New Hampshire Motor Speedway 1 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: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Event: Overton’s 301

Race Winner: Denny Hamlin

Stage Winner(s): Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch

Who Won Big

• Denny Hamlin: Welcome to the playoffs, Denny. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran officially stamped his playoff bid with a New Hampshire win, earned five playoff points in the process and jumped up to fifth in the championship standings.
• Matt Kenseth: He may not have made a statement, but Kenseth’s strong day in New Hampshire was critical for the 2003 MENCS champion’s playoff hopes, elevating him to a 52-point edge over Joey Logano for the current final spot in the postseason field.
• Martin Truex, Jr.: A late tire issue arguably cost Truex a shot at the win, but the Mayetta, New Jersey still left the northeast with another stage win, as well as a 38-point edge for first in the championship standings.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Joey Logano: Forget the fact that his failed part was taken by NASCAR for review – Logano’s dreadful finish at his home track left the encumbered winner trapped 52 points out of a playoff spot on points. Logano’s made the Championship 4 in two of the past three years, but may need a late win to make the playoffs at all this season.
• Erik Jones: What a brutal blow. Jones’ early exit due to a tire issue left the rookie 97 points out of a playoff spot heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His season’s been impressive, but Jones will likely need a victory to make his playoff debut.
• Jamie McMurray: No massive issues befell McMurray, but a subpar 17th-place run left the 2010 Daytona 500 champion within 50 points of Clint Bowyer and Kenseth. The Chip Ganassi Racing shoe is still safe for now, but one issue and a surprise winner could change everything.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

(All But) Locked In

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

Safe (For Now)

More Work to Do

• Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth
  • Kenseth’s strong day helped him establish a large gap on the playoff bubble, but one slip (or surprise winner) could change everything.

On the Bubble

Within Reach 

• Joey Logano
  • What appeared to be Logano’s best shot at a non-encumbered win instead ended with only a lone point to show for it. Logano could make the playoffs on points, but will probably need some misfortune for Kenseth or Bowyer to pull it off.

Likely Need to Win

• Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Trevor Bayne, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, Ty Dillon, Michael McDowell, Chris Buescher, A.J. Allmendinger, Danica Patrick, David Ragan, Matt DiBenedetto, Landon Cassill

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Season Totals