Playoff Projections: Alex Bowman & Post-Pocono 1

 

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    The Pocono Doubleheader weekend means there are two-times more playoff points to grab ahold of.

As many of us thought, Kyle Larson would be able to pass Denny Hamlin for the points lead, but a last lap incident would render the win to Alex Bowman. Larson would fall from 1st to 9th  after blowing out a tire in the 3rd corner at Pocono.

Here is what the Top 16 looked like after Nashville:

Liam Marshall-Stark/Stock Car Media

And now for the Top 16 after the first Pocono race:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 729 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 721 Points [4 Wins, 12 Stage Points]
3. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 655 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point]
4. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] 623 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (+1)
5. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 617 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (-1)
6. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 606 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
7. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 565 Points [3 Wins, 3 Stage Points]
8. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] 552 Points 
9. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] 548 Points
10. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] 519 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
11. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 513 Points [3 Wins] (+1)
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 494 Points (-1)
13. Tyler Reddick [No. 8 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 444 Points
14. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] 413 Points [2 Stage Points] (+3)
15. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 412 Points [1 Win] (-1)
16. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] 409 Points [1 Stage Point] (-1)

 - Who has moved around inside the Top 16?

After the first Pocono race, Denny Hamlin is still holding the points lead, but by a shrinking 8 point margin over 2nd place Kyle Larson. 

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

Kurt Busch jumped from 17th to 14th in the standings with a Stage win and a 6th place finish.

- Who has left the Top 16?

Our Daytona 500 champion, Michael McDowell, has left the Top 16. Fortunately for his win, he is secured into the playoffs.

 

The current Playoff field looks like this:

1. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 4 Wins / 721
2. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 3 Wins / 565
3. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 3 Wins / 513
4. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 655
5. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 623
6. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 1 Win / 617
7. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 1 Win / 606
8. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 548
9. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 1 Win / 519
10. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 412
11. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 394
12. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 729 [Points Leader]
13. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 552
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 494
15. [No. 8] Tyler Reddick / 444
16. [No. 1] Kurt Busch / 413