By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

On the Tuesday 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. 

XFINITY Series

Track: Kentucky Speedway

Event: Alsco 300

Race Winner: Kyle Busch

Stage Winner(s): Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney

Who Won Big

• No One, Really: With six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers claiming points in each of the first two stages and no one around the bubble really surging, there was very little movement in the standings. Nobody won big, though a few such as Blake Koch and Ryan Sieg made minor gains due to the misfortune of those around them.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Brendan Gaughan and Brandon Jones: In an accident symbolic of their entire seasons, Richard Childress Racing’s Gaughan and Jones were each ultimately eliminated by damage sustained in a crash that occurred before they could even reach the start-finish line.
• Ryan Reed: It was at Kentucky last fall where Reed delivered the first in a string of solid results that’s seen the Roush Fenway Racing driver turn into a feasible Championship 4 contender. In contrast, Saturday’s rain delayed race saw a crash and 36th-place run for Reed, which dropped the Californian two positions in the standings.

Playoff Standings: 

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

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Season Totals

Camping World Truck Series

Track: Kentucky Speedway

Event: Buckle Up in Your Truck 225

Race Winner: Christopher Bell

Stage Winner(s): Ben Rhodes, Noah Gragson

Who Won Big

• Christopher Bell: Two years ago Bell made a name for himself with his first Truck Series win at Eldora Speedway. This year, he’ll head there a championship favorite. Bell’s Kentucky win elevated him to a total of 19 playoff points, nearly double the total of the next highest scorer.
• Noah Gragson: Save for one mistake – a spin after hitting a bump on the frontstretch – Gragson drove a near-perfect race in his best Truck Series display the date. The rookie score a stage win, passed boss Kyle Busch late to score a top five and clawed to within 17 points of the playoff bubble courtesy of his closest competitors’ struggles.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Ben Rhodes: He did snag a stage win, but Rhodes was left wanting more after he crashed out with a truck that appeared capable of winning. The Kentuckian is still in the playoff field, but missing out on a shot at victory in his home state had to sting.
• Grant Enfinger and Ryan Truex: For a while it appeared Enfinger would take this spot on his own after crashing out early, then Truex joined him late and made sure both playoff drivers left the track early. These two are separated by just one point for the final current playoff position, but may have to content with Gragson if recent trends are any indication.

Playoff Standings: 

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

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Season Totals