NASCAR: Final push for the playoffs this weekend at Richmond
By Dustin Smith
This Saturday is the final push for remaining playoff spots. All but three playoff spots have been clinched this weekend heading into Richmond Raceway.
This is it!
This weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 400 will determine who will be in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and who will be working towards next season. Arguably the biggest question surrounding the weekend is will Dale Earnhardt Jr. finish his career as a playoff contender? His only chance to clinch a spot in this year’s playoffs would be to win this weekend.
However, there are a few drivers and teams who will have similar plans. Clint Bowyer, Erik Jones, Joey Logano and others need a win to make it in. Will we see a driver outside of the top 16 in Victory Lane? Or will a driver who has already clinched a spot in the playoffs gain crucial playoff points?
Who’s in now?
At this point, thirteen drivers have clinched their spots in the chase. This leaves three spots up for grabs at Richmond on Saturday. Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray currently hold the last three spots based on points. McMurray in 16th place has a commanding 91 point lead over Clint Bowyer, who sits outside of the playoffs in 17th and cannot make it in on points.
In fact, positions 14-16 are separated by only three points. Jamie McMurray trails Matt Kenseth by one point and he trails Chase Elliott by just three. To make matters even more interesting, if a driver on the outside of the bubble happens to win, only two spots would be up for grabs. This means McMurray, Kenseth and Elliott would be racing each other within the race for the last two playoff positions. Fenders beware!
Bubble Watch
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It is a must-win race for any driver outside of the top 16. This may bode well for Joey Logano, who has won twice at Richmond. Even more notable is the fact that Logano’s second win at Richmond came just four months ago. Even though this win was encumbered, it is still something that has to be on the minds of the other drivers who are in playoff-clinching contention.
As a matter of fact, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a three-time Richmond race winner. The only downside to that fact is that his last win came 11 years ago in 2006. Does he have one more clutch performance in him?
Clint Bowyer also has multiple wins at Richmond, which came in 2008 and 2012. A win for Bowyer would mean McMurray, Kenseth or Elliott would be bumped from the playoffs. Again, fenders beware…
Best Bet for an Upset?
Strangely enough, one driver who is currently having a strong rookie campaign is the best bet for an upset this weekend. Daniel Suarez finished the his first career Richmond race in April in 12th place. Carl Edwards raced his #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to Victory Lane at Richmond in 2016.
Could Edwards’ replacement at JGR be the victor on Saturday night? With an additional four-plus months of seat time in the Monster Energy Cup Series since the first time he raced at Richmond as well as a drop in sponsor, Suarez is the pick to play Cinderella on Saturday.
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