Entering the Round of 12 final race at the Charlotte Roval, William Byron and Ryan Blaney are the only two drivers who have solidified berths in the Round of 8.
Byron won at Texas and Blaney at Talladega. Sunday’s Talladega race scrambled the point standings. Brad Keselowski and Ross Chastain were the only two playoff drivers not to finish the race that ended with 29 drivers on the lead lap.
Keselowski is now two points above the cutline, while Chastain is tied with Bubba Wallace at nine points below the cutline. Road racing aficionado Tyler Reddick is only two points below the cutline. Kyle Busch is in a must-win situation if he wishes to continue in the playoffs since he has a 26-point deficit to the cutline.
Xfinity Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers didn’t compete at Talladega Superspeedway. Next weekend’s race at the Charlotte Roval is a cutoff race. It will determine the Round of 8. Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek have already secured berths in the next round with victories at Bristol and Texas, respectively.
Entering the final race in the current round those below the cutline are Parker Kligerman, -1; Jeb Burton, -19; Josh Berry, -27; and Sam Mayer, -34. Those above the cutline are Cole Custer, +62; Austin Hill, +43; Chandler Smith, +31; Sammy Smith, +17; Sheldon Creed, +8; and Daniel Hemric, +1.
Craftsman Truck Series
Since Brett Moffitt, the winner of Saturday’s Love’s RV Stop 250 at Talladega Superspeedway, isn’t a playoff contender, Corey Heim remains the only driver who has secured a position in the championship four.
Heim earned his title contending position with his Bristol victory last month. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is off until the Oct. 21 race at Homestead. That’s when the remaining three title contenders will be determined. Ty Majeski and defending series champion Zane Smith must-win if one of them wishes to advance to the championship round at Phoenix Raceway.
Entering Homestead, the drivers below the cutline are Grant Enfinger, -3; Ben Rhodes, -5; Majeski. -19; and Smith, -36. Those above the cutline are Carson Hocevar, +20; Christian Eckes, +6; and Nick Sanchez, +3.
Here’s the Cup Series Playoff picture following Sunday’s YellaWood 500:
NASCAR Cup Playoffs
After 2 of 3 races in the Round of 12:
- x-William Byron, Chevrolet, 3,136
- x-Ryan Blaney, Ford, 3,078
- Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 3,108
- Christopher Bell, Toyota, 3,080
- Chris Buescher, Ford, 3,077
- Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 3,075
- Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 3,073
- Brad Keselowski, Ford, 3,060
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Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 3,058 - Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 3,051
- Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 3,050
- Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 3,034
x-Qualified for Round of 8 after wins in Round of 12.
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