Playoff Projections: Martin Truex, Jr. & Post-Phoenix

 

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    Martin Truex, Jr. broke a 29-race winless streak with his first win of the 2021 season at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. The Instacart 500 only changed the Top 16 drivers around a little bit from what it looked like last week, after Las Vegas.

Here is last week's Top 16 after Las Vegas:

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And here is the post Phoenix Top 16:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 236 Points [3 Stage Points]
2. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] - 197 Points [1 Stage Point]
3. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] - 192 Points [1 Stage Point] (+3)
4. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 180 Points [1 Win] (+4)
5. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 179 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (-2)
6. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 179 Points [1 Stage Point] (-2)
7. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] - 176 Points 
8. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 167 Points [1 Win] (-3)
9. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 152 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (+2)
10. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] - 144 Points
11. Michael McDowell [No. 34 Ford / Front Row Motorsports] - 140 Points [1 Win] (-2)
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] - 135 Points 
13. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] - 134 Points [1 Stage Point] (+2)
14. Ryan Preece [No. 37 Chevrolet / JTG Daugherty Racing] - 123 Points (-1)
15. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 115 Points (-1)
16. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. [No. 47 Chevrolet / JTG Daugherty Racing] - 113 Points (+1) 

As you see, not much movement. No movement up or down for Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, or Austin Dillon. Denny Hamlin is begining to run away with the points lead, as he leads Keselowski by 39 points, though if Hamlin is struck with a DNF anytime soon, Keselowski could possibly take the top spot.

Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell has lost the most positions in the last two weeks; dropping 7 places to be exact. Hopefully, we don't end up with 17 different drivers winning in the 2021 regular season, or McDowell could find himself outside the playoffs.

Who is back in the Top 16? That would be Stenhouse. After a 12th place finish this week, a 11th at Las Vegas, and a 13th at Homestead two weeks ago, Stenhouse has been fairly consistent in the past three races, which looks very good for his playoff chances.

With that being said, how do you think the season has played out so far, and what do you see happening in the near future? Let us know in the comments below, we’ll be sure to get back to you!