Playoff Points: Talladega 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: Talladega Superspeedway

Event: Alabama 500

Race Winner: Brad Keselowski

Stage Winner(s): Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney

Who Won Big

• Brad Keselowski: He did it again. For the second time in four years, Keselowski won in Talladega to claim a spot in the Round of 8. Considering he entered the weekend on the outside of the cutoff line, the lone championship threat for Team Penske couldn’t have had a much better showing.
• Denny Hamlin: It wasn’t a good race for Hamlin by any stretch, but the Joe Gibbs Racing star survived where others faltered to claim a sixth-place finish and give himself a 21-point cushion going into the final race of the Round of 12.

Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Jamie McMurray: Upon first glance, Talladega seemed to be a track where McMurray could gain points on the playoff field. Instead an early miscue while coming to pit road cost McMurray everything, dropping the Chip Ganassi Racing veteran into a steep hole heading into the cutoff race at Kansas Speedway.
• Kyle Busch: Life comes at you fast in the playoffs – just ask Busch. Two weeks after his second-consecutive playoff win, Busch finds himself on the outside looking in after a tough outing in Alabama.
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: This one’s going to sting for a while. Stenhouse came to Talladega in need of a win or strong run to help his chances going to Kansas. Instead the spring winner was left with a torn up race car after getting caught up in one of the race’s large wrecks.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

Safe (For Now)

• Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski
  • The two race winners are the only ones safe heading to Kansas Speedway.

More Work to Do

On the Bubble

• Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Jimmie Johnson
  • No one that hasn’t won can breathe easy going into Kansas. Every winless driver is within 29 points of the cut line, meaning they’re one mistake from potential elimination.

Within Reach 

• Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth

Likely Need to Win

• Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Jamie McMurray

Playoff Points

Potential Playoff Points Earned On-Track
Rank	Driver	Playoff Points
1	Martin Truex, Jr.	49
2	Kyle Busch	33
3	Kyle Larson	24
4	Brad Keselowski	21
5	Jimmie Johnson	16
6 (tie)	Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.	10
6 (tie)	Kevin Harvick	10
8	Ryan Blaney	9
9	Denny Hamlin	7
10 (tie)	Kurt Busch	5
10 (tie)	Ryan Newman	5
10 (tie)	Austin Dillon	5
10 (tie)	Kasey Kahne	5
14	Chase Elliott	3
15	Matt Kenseth	2
16 (tie)	Joey Logano	1
16 (tie)	Clint Bowyer	1
16 (tie)	Daniel Suarez	1

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Playoff Totals

Season Totals