By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

Following each regular season points race, Kickin’ the Tires takes a deep look at the current playoff grids for both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series, evaluating the postseason picture for NASCAR’s second and third tours. 

Camping World Truck Series

Track: Gateway Motorsports Park

Event: Villa Lighting Delivers the Eaton 200

Race Winner: Justin Haley

Stage Winner(s): Grant Enfinger, Christian Eckes

Who Won Big

• Justin Haley: After multiple close calls over the past two seasons, Haley finally broke through at Gateway. The Hoosier secured his first Truck Series victory, earning what should be an automatic berth into the playoffs and five playoff points in the process.
• Myatt Snider: He didn’t pull into victory lane like Haley, but Snider surged late to claim a fourth-place finish in the first of two Truck races in Illinois. The North Carolinian now sits just 29 points behind Ben Rhodes for the final playoff spot, and is currently in position to snag a postseason berth if Brett Moffitt can’t continue – we’ll get to that in a moment.
• Cody Coughlin: It was a quiet night for Coughlin in Gateway, especially early on when the Ohioan battled power issues on his No. 2 Chevrolet. But Coughlin ended the night with a top 10, helping him draw within 47 points of Rhodes and the current bubble. That’s a lot to make up, but not impossible if he can string

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Brett Moffitt: Sure, Moffitt finished a disappointing 14th and lost a bit of ground in the standings. But what really has the Iowan’s playoff hopes in doubt are the funding issues that Hattori Racing are facing. There’s a chance they won’t be on the grid this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, which would disqualify Moffitt from playoff eligibility.
• Dalton Sargeant: With just six races remaining in the regular season, drivers outside of the bubble haven margin for error. It was a shame for Sargeant, then, that his day ended after just 31 laps in Gateway. The GMS Racing shoe now trails the bubble by 63 points, and will likely need a win to keep his title hopes afloat.
• Ben Rhodes, Matt Crafton and Grant Enfinger: These drivers account for three of the four positions in the current playoff grid without a win, and the entire trio finished between 19th and 22nd. That opened the door for drivers like Snider and Coughlin to gain ground.

Playoff Standings: 

*Technically ineligible due to missed races. Would require a waiver to make the playoffs.

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Gateway Motorsports Park Results

Season Totals