NASCAR Cup Series: How Kevin Harvick can be eliminated at Charlotte

Kevin Harvick is set to enter the final race of the first round of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs 57 points ahead of the cut line. Here is how he can be eliminated.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick currently sits in fourth place in the playoff picture heading into the third and final race of the first round of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the round of 16. With two races down and one race remaining in the round of 16, Harvick sits 57 points ahead of the round of 12 cut line.

Can the 2014 Cup Series champion potentially be eliminated from playoff contention in the final race of the round of 16, the Bank of America Roval 400, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval?

The round of 12 cut line currently sits between the drivers whose point totals rank 12th and 13th among the point totals of the 16 playoff drivers. Because Harvick sits 57 points ahead of the 13th place driver, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Clint Bowyer, it is impossible for his point total to end up outside of the top 12 as far as point totals go upon the conclusion of the round of 16 unless Bowyer wins the race.

A maximum of 55 points can be earned by a driver who does not win the race and a maximum of 60 points can be earned by a driver who wins the race. However, in the scenario of a race win, it is the win that matters, not the points, in this playoff format. All drivers who compete in the race are guaranteed to score at least one point.

This means that Harvick can only potentially be eliminated from playoff contention in this race if one of the four drivers who are currently below the round of 12 cut line wins the race. Aside of Bowyer, these drivers are Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson and Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Erik Jones and Denny Hamlin. Johnson trails Harvick by 59 points while Jones and Hamlin trail Harvick by 74 points and 82 points, respectively.