Playoff Points: Texas 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: Texas Motor Speedway

Event: O’Reilly Auto Parts 500

Race Winner: Kyle Busch

Stage Winner(s): Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch

Who Won Big

• Kyle Busch: It was only a matter of time. Busch finally capitalize on his consistent speed in recent weeks to best Kevin Harvick and earn his first Cup win of 2018. The Nevadan also won a stage, giving him six new playoff points to take into the postseason.
• Kevin Harvick: He had about as many pit road issues as the Texas Longhorns had Big 12 wins, but in the end Harvick still managed to claim a stage and finish second, keeping his strong position in the standings and earning yet another playoff point to carry into his title pursuit.
• Jamie McMurray: Talk about a much-needed performance. McMurray has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, but he entered Texas 26th and well away from the playoff bubble. One third-place run later the Chip Ganassi Racing veteran finds himself 23rd, with the bubble within sight.
• Young Guns: Sophomore Erik Jones and rookies Darrell Wallace Jr. and William Byron all strengthened their playoff resumes on Sunday. Jones finished fourth to rise to 11th in the standings. Byron rose to 18th with his first top 10 in 10th, and Wallace followed in 19th after an eighth-place run.

Who Hurt Their Odds

• The Last Two Champions: Between a flat tire and a mid-race crash, Texas proved unwelcoming for the Cup Series’ last two champions. Martin Truex Jr. finished 37th after a vicious tire blowout, and Jimmie Johnson was only two spots better at race’s end after a crash. With his early win Truex could afford the issue. Johnson, on the other had, now finds himself 21st in the standings without an automatic playoff berth.
• A Host of Other Contenders: Kyle Larson. Denny Hamlin. Brad Keselowski. Ryan Newman. All four drivers made the playoffs last year, and all four drivers were eliminated by early crashes in Texas. Throw in Aric Almirola, Paul Menard, Daniel Suarez and Alex Bowman, and a host of postseason hopefuls were left disappointed leaving the Lone Star State.

Playoff Standings: 

*Technically ineligible due to missed races. Would require a waiver.
**One or more race wins ineligible due to post-race inspection failures.

Where They Stand

(All But) Locked In

• Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon
  • Race Winners

Safe (For Now)

• Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson

More Work to Do

• Erik Jones, Aric Almirola

On the Bubble

• Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Paul Menard

Within Reach 

• Ryan Newman, William Byron, Darrell Wallace Jr., A.J. Allmendinger, Jimmie Johnson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Jamie McMurray, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, Daniel Suarez

Likely Need to Win

• Kasey Kahne, Trevor Bayne, David Ragan, Ty Dillon

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Previous Race Results

Season Totals

*One or more stage wins ineligible due to post-race inspection failures