Brad Keselowski won Saturday night, punching his ticket to the Round of 12 while Denny Hamlin wrapped up a spot on points, meaning nine spots remain, and meaning Keselowski and Hamlin are both in fairly good positions as far as remaining in the playoffs come championship time.
None of that’s unexpected, though.
What’s unexpected is that Austin Dillon is also in a fairly good spot all of a sudden—not as good as Keselowski or Hamlin or Kevin Harvick, or a few other drivers, but not a bad one either, at least for making the Round of 8.
Dillon, the grandson of owner Richard Childress and driver of Dale Earnhardt’s old Number 3 car, has won only three races over his seven full seasons in the Cup Series. This is his fourth time making the playoffs, but in none of the previous three has he advanced past the Round of 16.
Yesterday, he led 55 of the 400 laps, finished second in each of the first two stages, and finished the race fourth.
It was a breakthrough for Dillon, and while he’d still start the Round of 8 tied for eighth as things stand, the fact that he’s one disaster-less race away from making the Round of 12 is a leap forward, as was capturing much of the attention Saturday night.
We didn’t have any cautions, so no fun videos, but here’s how all the playoff drivers did, in order of finish:
Jimmie Johnson & Bubba Wallace
Just kidding, these guys aren’t in the playoffs. But they’re the most noteworthy non-playoff drivers, and evidently Wallace drove Johnson into the wall early in the race and Johnson tried to retaliate on Wallace, which is both fun and a little uncertain emotionally since we like both those guys.
Also, it was announced last week that Johnson isn’t, in fact, retiring, but is going to drive IndyCar for the next two years. See you at the 500, James (ok upon further review his real name does seem to be Jimmie).
Brad Keselowski
Won it, as has been said. Also won Stage Two. Has 35 points in his back pocket for the Round of 12, which I think means he’s definitely starting the round of 12 in third regardless of what happens this week in the Round of 16 finale at Bristol. He did get a little close to teammate Joey Logano while passing him during Stage Two, and while beef between teammates isn’t all that common, Logano is pretty reviled. So keep an eye on that.
Martin Truex, Jr
Finished second, though I think he may have missed pit road at one point. Stayed clear of Chase Elliott, which is too bad after last week’s beef ignition. Currently fifth in the standings, and can lock up a spot in the Round of 12 by finishing 16th or better this week, even if he doesn’t finish in the top ten in either of the first two stages (credit to Bob Pockrass for the math, and also, that’s worst-case scenario as far as how other drivers do).
Joey Logano
Finished third, led some, currently fourth in the standings, would take a disaster to not advance (needs to finish 29th or better in the worst-case scenario).
Austin Dillon
As has been said, finished fourth. Great race. Sixth in the standings, needs to finish 14th this week to advance in the worst-case scenario.
Chase Elliott
Finished fifth, seventh in the standings now, also controls his fate (needs to finish 6th in the worst-case scenario to advance).
Kyle Busch
Finished sixth, now ninth in the standings. Fairly safe for advancing to the next round (really just needs to avoid an early wreck, if I know what’s going on, which I don’t), but not in a good spot for repeating as the champion, which is what I would guess he was referring to with this line over the radio.
Kevin Harvick
Terrible day relatively for Harvick, who only led only 41 laps and finished seventh. 14-playoff point lead (those are the ones you carry over) over the next-closest challenger (Hamlin), and 42-playoff point lead over the fifth-place guy (Elliott), so still a pretty sure bet to be alive for the championship, with the luxury of just racing to win and grab more playoff points rather than trying to keep his head above water.
Aric Almirola
Finished eighth, continues to points-race well. Tenth in the standings, with two drivers between him and Byron, but only a seven-point cushion.
Alex Bowman
Finished ninth, continues to completely evade notice. The most boring decent driver in NASCAR. Eighth in the standings, 27 points ahead of Byron, so very much in the Kyle Busch/Chase Elliott camp of just needing to avoid an early wreck at Bristol.
Clint Bowyer
Finished tenth, narrowly above water in the standings, sitting in twelfth place, three points ahead of Byron. Along with Almirola and these next four guys listed, a bubble driver this weekend.
Denny Hamlin
Finished twelfth, but won Stage One, so grabbed another playoff point. Locked into the Round of 12, so like Keselowski and Harvick, just racing for playoff points this week.
Kurt Busch
Finished 13th, tied with Almirola in the standings but behind in playoff points so technically eleventh. Seven-point lead over Byron for this week.
Cole Custer
Finished 14th, 14th in the standings, within striking distance of Bowyer and Almirola and Ku. Busch. Five points back of Byron, so eight points back of Bowyer for the 12th position.
Matt DiBenedetto
Continues to be present. Finished 17th, now 15th in the standings, 25 points behind Bowyer for the last Round of 12 spot. Needs a very good race this week.
Ryan Blaney
Another disastrous run for the handsome young man. Finished 19th after having to make an extra pit stop because his lug nuts were loose. Not happy about things. 27 points behind Bowyer for the last spot in the Round of 12.
William Byron
Not the race this guy wanted. Finished 21st, now the first driver out of the Round of 12. Used a little foul language.
***
This week: Bristol. Saturday night. Last race before the field narrows to twelve. Hopefully we get some chaos.
