By Aaron Bearden, Motorsports Editor

Following each 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: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Event: DC Solar 300

Race Winner: Ross Chastain

Stage Winner(s): Ross Chastain (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• Ross Chastain: In his second race with Chip Ganassi Racing, Chastain made his NASCAR dreams come true. The Floridian claimed both stages and drove to his first Xfinity win, grabbing a playoff spot and seven additional playoff points for his first postseason run. That should help buy Chastain some buffer as he makes the move back to the comparatively-underfunded JD Motorsports.
• Austin Cindric and Ryan Reed: Neither driver made significant headlines on Saturday — though Reed did endure a hard crash — but they both survived to claim the final two spots in the playoff field.
• Justin Allgaier: He fell just short of bringing home another victory, but Allgaier managed to secure the Regular Season Championship with his runner-up run at Las Vegas. That’s good for 15 additional playoff points, which makes Allgaier the favorite to make his way to Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Michael Annett: An early crash brought Annett’s failed bid for a playoff spot to an early close at Las Vegas, ensuring he won’t be able to compete for a title in his second year with JR Motorsports.
• Everyone Else Outside of the Playoff Grid: A lack of a surprise winner in Las Vegas ensured that everyone outside of the playoff grid entering Las Vegas failed to make the postseason.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Playoff Points Earned On-Track
Rank	Driver	Playoff Points
1 (tie)	Christopher Bell	24
1 (tie)	Justin Allgaier	24
3	Ross Chastain	9
4 (tie)	Ryan Preece	6
4 (tie)	Tyler Reddick	6
6	Spencer Gallagher	5
7 (tie)	Elliott Sadler	4
7 (tie)	Daniel Hemric	4
9	John H. Nemechek	2
10 (tie)	Brandon Jones	1
10 (tie)	Cole Custer	1
10 (tie)	Matt Tifft	1
10 (tie)	Austin Cindric	1

Stage Points

Las Vegas Results

Season Totals

Camping World Truck Series

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Event: World of Westgate 200

Race Winner: Grant Enfinger

Stage Winner(s): Noah Gragson, Grant Enfinger

Who Won Big

• Grant Enfinger: He entered Las Vegas last in the playoff grid, but Enfinger emerged with a guaranteed spot in the Round of 6. The Alabamian secured his second-career Truck win at Las Vegas, jumping from the playoff bubble to one solid round from a Championship 4 appearance.
• Johnny Sauter: He fell short of a win, but Sauter finished second to keep himself securely in the playoff grid.
• Ben Rhodes and Matt Crafton: The ThorSport Racing duo of Rhodes and Crafton put together a consistent drive to put themselves within reach of the Round of 6 going into the first round’s final race at Talladega Superspeedway.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Stewart Friesen: A disastrous 17th-place showing has Friesen on the brink of early elimination. He enters the final race of the Round of 8 last on the playoff grid, needing 10 points to catch Crafton and clear himself into the next round.
• Brett Moffitt: His playoff points mean Moffitt still has a slim cushion on the current bubble, but a subpar 11th-place result in Las Vegas leaves the Iowan just 18 points clear of Rhodes in seventh. Any early issues could knock Moffitt out of the Round of 6.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Playoff Points Earned On-Track
Rank	Driver	Playoff Points
1	Johnny Sauter	27
2	Brett Moffitt	21
3	Noah Gragson	15
4	Justin Haley	10
5 (tie)	Ben Rhodes	9
5 (tie)	Grant Enfinger	9
7	Stewart Friesen	5
8 (tie)	David Gilliland	1
8 (tie)	Christian Eckes	1
8 (tie)	Todd Gilliland	1

Stage Points

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Results

Season Totals