NASCAR: Dover Post-Race Grades

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DOVER, DE – SEPTEMBER 30: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

NASCAR closed out its first round of playoff racing action on Sunday at Dover. Kyle Busch passed Chase Elliott late to gain his second win in a row. In the end, four drivers were eliminated and will finish the season on the outside looking in.

Unfortunately, there are four drivers who will be expelled from class after this week. Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon and Kasey Kahne were all eliminated from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on Sunday at Dover. However, 12 drivers will be headed to the next round with a clean slate.

For starters, Kyle Busch showed his dominance with another playoff win. This was his second win in a row in this year’s playoff. However, the 2nd place finisher Chase Elliott was not pleased with his finish after being passed by Busch in the final laps.

Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson rounded out the top 5. Also, the playoff driver with the worst finish was Denny Hamlin. Hamlin’s day was cut short after having a broken axle cause him to finish 35th. Fortunately, Hamlin had enough of a points lead to easily secure his spot in the second round.

At this point, 12 drivers remain alive and focused on winning the championship. After three races, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch have shown us they’re all-in with wins in the first round. On the other hand, four drivers didn’t do enough to make it to round 2. It is now time to grade the 16 playoff drivers…

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