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

 

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   Last night during the “Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Releif” 500 at Martinsville Speedway,  Martin Truex, Jr. became the first driver to score two victories in 2021 NASCSR Cup Series season. Truex’s first win of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season came at Phoenix, and since then he has been in contention for the win in multiple races. 

Two wins have moved Truex up in the standings, but not enough to take the points lead. 

Here are the standings after the Bristol Dirt race:

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And now for the updated standings after this week's race at Martinsville:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 379 Points [3 Stage Points] 
2. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 303 Points [2 Wins, 1 Stage Point] (+1)
3. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] - 302 Points [1 Win, 2 Stage Points] (-1)
4. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 280 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
5. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] - 272 Points [1Win, 3 Stage Points] (+2)
6. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 270 Points [1Win, 1 Stage Point]
7. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - 260 Points [1 Stage Point] (+2)
8. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] - 253 Points 
9. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] - 244 Points [1 Stage Point] (-4)
10. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 217 Points [1 Win]
11. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - 212 Points (+2)
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] - 209 Points (-1)
13. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. [No. 47 Chevrolet / JTG Daugherty Racing] - 202 Points (+1)
14. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] - 192 Points (+4)
15. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] - 190 Points
16. Michael McDowell [No. 34 Ford / Front Row Motorsports] - 189 Points [1 Win] (-4)

- Who has moved around within the Top-16?

Well, Denny Hamlin continues to stay in the points lead since assuming it from Austin Dillon after the Daytona Road Course. Martin Truex, Jr. has moved up into the second position. Stenhouse, Blaney, Elliott, and Kyle Busch, have all moved up one or more positions each. 

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

Chris Buescher has moved back into the Top-16 this week, currently sitting 14th, after falling back at to 17th at Bristol dirt. This week Buescher moved up a whopping 3 places in points.

- Who has left the Top-16?

After an unfortunate early end to Alex Bowman’s day at Martinsville, the No. 48 has left the top-16. Bowman has only dropped from 16th to 17th, so he isn't too far gone.

The playoff field is starting to look interesting. Here is a peek:

1. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 2 Wins / 303
2. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 302
3. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 1 Win / 180
4. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 272
5. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 270
6. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 217
7. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 189
8. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 379 (Points Leader)
9. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 260
10. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 253
11. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 244
12. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 212
13. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 209
14. [No. 47] Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. / 202
15. [No. 17] Chris Buescher / 192
16. [No. 1] Kurt Busch / 190

What are your thoughts on the Playoff field as of right now? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!