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: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Event: Ford EcoBoost 300

Race Winner: Cole Custer

Stage Winner(s): Cole Custer (Won Both Stages)

Who Won Big

• William Byron: One of the most promising young talents in NASCAR’s recent history is once again a champion of the sport. Byron, a 2015 K&N Pro Series East champion, claimed his first XFINITY Series title in his lone try, claiming the trophy with a late pass of JR Motorsports teammate Elliott Sadler to complete his phenomenal stop in NASCAR’s second series.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Elliott Sadler: Four times in the past seven years Sadler has come to Homestead with a potential championship at stake only to be denied. The veteran’s latest attempt was his most heartbreaking yet, as he was passed in the final 10 laps by teammate Byron before bouncing off of Ryan Preece’s No. 18 Toyota and damaging his tire.
• Justin Allgaier: In retrospect Allgaier’s 2017 season will likely be viewed as a career resurgence after he snagged two wins. But his championship effort Saturday was a virtual non-starter as he trailed both JRM teammates throughout the night.
• Daniel Hemric: What could have been. Hemric was the top qualifying Championship 4 contender, and he stayed level with his fellow contenders early on. But mid-race battery issues ruined the rookie’s promising evening, trapping him multiple laps down and out of contention.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Homestead Results

Playoff Totals

(e)=Eliminated from playoff contention

Season Totals

Camping World Truck Series

Track:  Homestead-Miami Speedway

Event: Ford EcoBoost 200

Race Winner: Chase Briscoe

Stage Winner(s): Christopher Bell, Ben Rhodes

Who Won Big

• Christopher Bell: Last year Bell was a Championship 4 underdog. This year? Simply the champion. Bell bested his fellow three competitors with ease to claim his first NASCAR title.

 Who Hurt Their Odds:

• Johnny Sauter: Sauter followed the same formula that won him a title last year – a quiet Round of 8, two wins in the Round of 6 and a third-place finish in the Championship 4 – but this season it wasn’t enough.
• Matt Crafton: Try as he might, the speed issues that plagued Crafton’s No. 88 team throughout the year caught up to them again at Homestead. Crafton didn’t have enough truck to chase the title with the laps winding down.
• Austin Cindric: After sneaking into the playoffs with a win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Cindric spent the better part of the postseason exceeding expectations and proving people wrong. He managed the same feat on Friday, keeping himself in contention for the title until the race’s waning moments. But in the end it simply wasn’t enough.

Playoff Standings: 

Playoff Points

Stage Points

Homestead Results

Playoff Totals

(e)=Eliminated from playoff contention

Season Totals