Playoff Projections: Alex Bowman & Post-Dover

 

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    Alex Bowman now has etched another victory for the win column, and his second victory of 2021. Bowman currently is only the second driver to win more than once this season.

The NASCAR Cup Series has reached the halfway point of the regular season, which doesn't include the playoffs. There is 26, regular season races and  Speaking of playoffs, let's see how much our Top 16 has changed.

Here is the Top 16 after Darlington:

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And then for the Top 16 after this week's race at Dover:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 574 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 473 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (+1)
3. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 472 Points [3 Wins, 3 Stage Points] (-1)
4. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] 442 Points [1 Win, 2 Stage Points]
5. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 440 Points [1 Win, 6 Stage Points] (+1)
6. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] 438 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points] (-1)
7. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 432 Points [1 Stage Point] (+1)
8. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] 427 Points (-1)
9. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] 404 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point]
10. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 383 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point]
11. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 341 Points (+1)
12. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 336 Points [1 Win] (-1)
13. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 332 Points [2 Wins] (+1)
14. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] 309 Points [1 Stage Point] (-1)
15. Tyler Reddick [No. 8 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 298 Points (+1)
16. Michael McDowell [No. 34 Ford / Front Row Motorsports] 290 Points [1 Win] (-1)

- Who has moved around inside the Top 16?

After Dover, Denny Hamlin is still holding the points lead, and by a 101 points margin over 2nd place William Byron. Only four drivers, did not move anywhere this week: Hamlin, Logano, Keselowski, and Busch. Most of the Chevrolet drivers are on the move as Byron, Larson, Elliott, Dillon, Bowman, and Reddick have all moved up one position each. Truex, Blaney, Harvick, Bell, Buescher, and McDowell have each dropped one position on the standings.

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

No one is new to the Top 16 this week!

- Who has left the Top 16?

No one has left the Top 16 this week!

The current Playoff field looks like this:

1. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 3 Wins / 472
2. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 2 Wins / 332
3. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 473
4. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 442
5. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 1 Win / 440
6. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 438
7. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 1 Win / 404
8. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 1 Win / 383
9. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 336
10. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 290
11. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 574 [Points Leader]
12. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 432
13. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 427
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 341
15. [No. 17] Chris Buescher / 309
16. [No. 8] Tyler Reddick / 298