Playoff Projections: Kyle Busch & Post-Pocono 2

 

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    Kyle Busch was able to overcome a transmission problem throughout the second race at Pocono, and went on to take the win. 

As any other two races during the season would, the doubleheader weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series had a huge impact on the playoff field. With the regular season ending in 7 races, their are still 5 "open" seats in the playoff field. 

Here the Top 16 after the first race at Pocono this past weekend:

Liam Marshall-Stark/Stock Car Media

Here is the peek of the Top 16 after the 2nd race at Pocono:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 761 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 759 Points [4 Wins, 12 Stage Points]
3. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 690 Points [1 Win, 2 Stage Points]
4. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] 651 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] 
5. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 650 Points [2 Wins, 3 Stage Points] (+1)
6. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 633 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (-1)
7. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 606 Points [3 Wins, 4 Stage Points] 
8. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] 586 Points (+1)
9. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] 585 Points (-1)
10. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] 569 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
11. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 543 Points [3 Wins]
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 518 Points 
13. Tyler Reddick [No. 8 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 475 Points
14. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] 430 Points [2 Stage Points] 
15. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] 427 Points [1 Stage Point] (+1)
16. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 424 Points [1 Win] (-1)

 - Who has moved around inside the Top 16?

After the second Pocono race, Denny Hamlin is barely holding the points lead, just by a 2 point margin over 2nd place Kyle Larson. Kyle Busch is slowly marching his way up the standings.

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

No one moved into the Top 16 between the two races.

- Who has left the Top 16?

Nobody has left the Top 16 between the two races.

The current Playoff field looks like this:

1. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 4 Wins / 759
2. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 3 Wins / 606
3. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 3 Wins / 543
4. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 2 Wins / 650
5. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 690
6. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 651
7. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 1 Win / 633
8. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 586
9. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 1 Win / 519
10. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 424
11. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 419
12. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 761 [Points Leader]
13. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 585
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 518
15. [No. 8] Tyler Reddick / 475
16. [No. 1] Kurt Busch / 430