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: Phoenix Raceway

Event: Ticket Galaxy 200

Race Winner: William Byron

Stage Winner(s): Ryan Blaney (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• William Byron: The first five races of the playoffs had proven quiet for Byron, but the rookie bounced back in a major way with a win at Phoenix. One year removed from a heartbreaking playoff elimination, Byron is among the favorites to capture the XFINITY Series crown.
• Elliott Sadler and Justin Allgaier: JR Motorsports’ three playoff contenders all entered Phoenix needing only to survive in order to advance to Homestead-Miami Speedway. While Byron went out and won, the other two contenders did just that. Now Sadler and Allgaier will get a chance to avenge their narrow loss to Daniel Suarez last season.
• Daniel Hemric: Coming from a decorated career in Late Models, Hemric knows how to execute in crunch time. The Richard Childress Racing rookie proved that on Saturday, rallying from a heavy deficit in points to advance to the Championship 4.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Cole Custer: By all accounts Custer’s 2017 playoff run was strong. But a handful of issues at Kansas Speedway proved too much to overcome. Custer put forth a spirited drive in Arizona, but it was outdone by Hemric’s, leaving the Stewart-Haas Racing rookie on the outside looking in as the checkered flag flew.
• Brennan Poole: Coming into the weekend Poole held the final spot in the Championship 4. But the Chip Ganassi Racing sophomore threw his spot away when he crashed with the lapped car of Caesar Bacarella, ending his day early with a 38th-place result.
• Matt Tifft and Ryan Reed: The first entered with a chance to race his way in on points, while the latter needed a win to keep his title chase alive. However, neither Tifft nor Reed proved capable of contending with the laps winding down in Phoenix, leaving each driver with a quiet postseason exit.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Phoenix Results

Playoff Totals

(e)=Eliminated from playoff contention

Season Totals

Camping World Truck Series

Track:  Phoenix Raceway

Event: Lucas Oil 150

Race Winner: Johnny Sauter

Stage Winner(s): Noah Gragson (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• Johnny Sauter: Walked out of the Round of 6 with two-straight wins. Not bad, champ.
• Matt Crafton: Friday wasn’t exciting for Crafton, but the two-time Truck Series champion did enough to advance to the Championship 4 on points. Now he’ll get a chance to rise to the top of the tour once more.
• Austin Cindric: He may have done it in dramatic fashion, but Cindric managed to keep his playoff hopes alive with a top 10 in Phoenix. The rookie will now get a chance to lead Brad Keselowski Racing to what would surely be an emotional championship in the current organization’s final race.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Ben Rhodes: For most of the race it appeared Rhodes would drive his way into the Championship 4. But a late pit stop and contact with Cindric sent Rhodes spinning into teammate Crafton and tumbling out of the playoff race.
• John Hunter Nemechek: He didn’t have a great truck in Phoenix, but that didn’t stop Nemechek from doing everything he could to earn a playoff-advancing win. The NEMCO Motorsports shoe survived late-race attrition and rose up to second, but couldn’t find a way around Sauter for the victory.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Phoenix Results

Playoff Totals

(e)=Eliminated from playoff contention

Season Totals