Playoff Projections: Brad Keselowski & Post-Talladega

 

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    Brad Keselowski finally broke into the win column for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Yet again, we have another different winner, and we’re only 10 races into the season.

Keselowski’s season hadn't been bad, but as of today (4/26/21) he has not been resigned by Team Penske, or signed by any team for that matter. This victory will undoubtedly help him secure a ride for 2022.

Top 16 drivers after Richmond:

Liam Marshall-Stark/Stock Car Media

Now for the Post-Talladega Top 16:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 446 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 359 Points [2 Wins, 1 Stage Point]
3. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] - 353 Points [1 Win, 2 Stage Points]
4. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 351 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point]
5. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] - 346 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
6. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] - 318 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (+3)
7. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] - 308 Points (+1)
8. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 306 Points [1 Stage Point] (-1)
9. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 300 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points] (-3)
10. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 280 Points [1 Win]
11. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 271 Points
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] - 268 Points
13. Michael McDowell [No. 34 Ford / Front Row Motorsports] - 244 Points [1 Win] (+4)
14. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 241 Points [1 Win]
15. Ricky Stenhouse [No. 47 Chevrolet / JTG Daugherty Racing] - 229 Points (-1)
16. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] - 229 Points [1 Stage Point]

- Who has moved around in the Top 16?

As Denny Hamlin is still running away with the points lead, Keselowski and Harvick were the only drivers who moved upward within the Top 16. Everyone else, moved downward or stayed put.

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

Michael McDowell fell just short of a victory here at Talladega, and wound up with a 3rd place finish. This sent him up into 13th in the points standings.

- Who has left the Top 16?

Kurt Busch unfortunately has left the Top 16, after a tough day at Talladega. He has now been sent down to 18th on the standings.

The current playoff field looks like:

1. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 2 Wins / 359
2. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 353
3. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 351
4. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 346
5. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 1 Win / 318
6. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 1 Win / 300
7. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 280
8. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 244
9. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 1 Win / 241
10. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 446 (Points Leader)
11. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 308
12. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 306
13. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 271
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 268
15. [No. 47] Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. / 229
16. [No. 17] Chris Buescher / 229

Are you happy with the current playoff field as it is? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear what you think!