Playoff Points: Texas 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: Texas Motor Speedway

Event: AAA Texas 500

Race Winner: Kevin Harvick

Stage Winner(s): Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson

Who Won Big

• Kevin Harvick: Just when he seemed to be a fringe playoff contender at best, Harvick lived up to his ‘Closer’ nickname in a major way with his first Texas win. Now the 2014 Cup Series champion is locked into the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he stands as good a chance as any to take home the title.
• Martin Truex Jr.: He fell a handful of laps short of a victory, but in the end Truex did enough to place himself safely into the Championship 4 on points with one race remaining before Homestead. The benefits of a strong season are as great as they’ve been in the playoff era, and Truex is reaping the rewards.
• Brad Keselowski: It wasn’t an easy day for Keselowski after contact with Kyle Busch left him a lap down early with damage. But Keselowski persevered, finishing fifth and giving himself a 19-point gap over the playoff bubble with one race left in the Round of 8.

Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Chase Elliott: Sunday’s effort wasn’t enough for Elliott. Fresh off of his controversial spin at Martinsville Speedway, Elliott started at the tail-end of the field and never quite made his way into contention in Texas. The Georgian finished eighth, and left the event 49 points out of the final four. It’ll be win or bust for Elliott at Phoenix Raceway, just like his teammate…
• Jimmie Johnson: This guy. A brutal day for the defending Cup Series champion at one of his best tracks left him with a 27th-place finish and his fans with more questions than answers. Johnson’s quest for an eighth title will come down to his ability to deliver another clutch performance and take a victory in the Arizona desert.
• Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney: Neither driver did bad in Texas, but Hamlin and Blaney each failed to gain any meaningful ground on Keselowski and the championship cutoff. Unless Keselowski has a poor result, this duo will likely need a victory in Phoenix to keep their championship hopes alive.

Playoff Standings: 

Where They Stand

Safe (For Now)

• Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick Martin Truex Jr.
  • Harvick enters the “safe” group after a pivotal win in Texas.

More Work to Do

• Brad Keselowski
  • His gap was diminished to 19 points, but two strong stage results in Phoenix and a non-bubble driver winner could all-but deliver Keselowski his first Championship 4 appearance.

On the Bubble

Within Reach 

• Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin
  • Blaney and Hamlin could potentially close in on Keselowski, but they would need strong stage performances and for Keselowski to have issues if they have any hope of advancing without a win.

Likely Need to Win

• Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson
  • Things are looking dire for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet. If neither Johnson nor Elliott can win in Phoenix, then the Bowtie Brigade will miss out on a Championship 4 berth for the first time in the format’s fourth run.

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Playoff Totals

Season Totals