Playoff Projections: Alex Bowman & Post-Richmond

 

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    Alex Bowman brought the No. 48 to victory lane for the first time since Jimmie Johnson's last win at Dover in 2017. 

Bowman’s win in the "Toyota Owners" 400, became his 3rd career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series. This was just what Bowman needed, but the race at Richmond moved around a few drivers in our Top-16.

Last week’s Top-16 after Martinsville:

Liam Marshall-Stark/Stock Car Media

Our Top-16 drivers after Richmond:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 434 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 353 Points [2 Wins, 1 Stage Point]
3. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] - 352 Points [1 Win, 2 Stage Points] 
4. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 310 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (+2)
5. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] - 304 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
6. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 299 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points] (-2)
7. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 285 Points [1 Stage Point]
8. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] - 273 Points
9. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] - 269 Points [1 Stage Point]
10. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 257 Points [1 Win]
11. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 245 Points
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] - 239 Points
13. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 236 Points [1 Win] (+4)
14. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. [No. 47 Chevrolet / JTG Daugherty Racing] - 222 Points (-1)
15. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] - 214 Points
16. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] - 204 Points [1 Stage Point] (-2)

- Who has moved around in the Top 16?

Denny Hamlin is still running away with the points lead, and the Top-3 all stayed in their places, but somebody else is on the move. William Byron continues his impressive 2021 season, as he climbs up the leaderboard, and into 4th place in points.

- Who is new, or has returned to the Top-16?

Alex Bowman's win moved him back into the Top 16, and he currently sits in 13th in the standings. 

- Who has left the Top-16?

Our Daytona 500 champion, Michael McDowell, has officially left the Top-16 in points. McDowell has dropped to 17th in points, but Matt DiBenedetto (and others) will be hungry for a win at Talladega next week.... McDowell better watch out!

The playoff field is starting to look very interesting. It shows many of the younger drivers beating the aged veterans. Here is a peek:

1. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 2 Wins / 353
2. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 352
3. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 310
4. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 304
5. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 1 Win / 299
6. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 257
7. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 1 Win / 236
8. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 199
9. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 434 (Points Leader)
10. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 285
11. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 273
12. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 269
13. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 245
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 239
15. [No. 47] Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. / 222
16. [No. 1] Kurt Busch / 214

What were your thoughts on Alex Bowman's win at Richmond, and are you content with the playoff field as it is right now? Please let us know in the comments below!