Playoff Projections: Chase Elliott & Post-Road America

 

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    As many people expected, the "Road Course King", would win at Road America. With the playoffs right around the corner, and only 6 races away, there will be some playoff desperate drivers trying to win in the next few weeks.

A few drivers moved around on the points standings, and some others are closing in on others in points.

A look back after the 2nd race at Pocono:

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Here is your updated Top 16 after Road America:

1. Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 798 Points [5 Stage Points]
2. Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 795 Points [4 Wins, 12 Stage Points]
3. William Byron [No. 24 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 713 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points] 
4. Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 685 Points [2 Wins, 3 Stage Points] (+1)
5. Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] 678 Points [1 Win, 1 Stage Point] (-1)
6. Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 674 Points [2 Wins, 1 Stage Point] 
7. Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 634 Points [3 Wins, 4 Stage Points] 
8. Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske] 603 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
9. Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] 599 Points 
10. Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske] 593 Points [1 Win, 3 Stage Points]
11. Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] 561 Points [3 Wins]
12. Austin Dillon [No. 3 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 544 Points 
13. Tyler Reddick [No. 8 Chevrolet / Richard Childress Racing] 521 Points [1 Stage Point]
14. Kurt Busch [No. 1 Chevrolet / Chip Ganassi Racing] 471 Points [2 Stage Points] 
15. Christopher Bell [No. 20 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] 463 Points [1 Win] (+1)  
16. Chris Buescher [No. 17 Ford / Roush-Fenway Racing] 446 Points [1 Stage Point] (-1)

 - Who has moved around inside the Top 16?

After Road America, Denny Hamlin is still holding the points lead. This time, just by a 3 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?

Nobody has left the Top 16 after this week.

- Who has left the Top 16?

Nobody has left the Top 16 after this week.

The current Playoff field looks like this:

1. [No. 5] Kyle Larson / 4 Wins / 795
2. [No. 19] Martin Truex, Jr. / 3 Wins / 634
3. [No. 48] Alex Bowman / 3 Wins / 561
4. [No. 18] Kyle Busch / 2 Wins / 685
5. [No. 9] Chase Elliott / 2 Wins / 674
6. [No. 24] William Byron / 1 Win / 713
7. [No. 22] Joey Logano / 1 Win / 678
8. [No. 12] Ryan Blaney / 1 Win / 603
9. [No. 2] Brad Keselowski / 1 Win / 593
10. [No. 20] Christopher Bell / 1 Win / 463
11. [No. 34] Michael McDowell / 1 Win / 426
12. [No. 11] Denny Hamlin / 798 [Points Leader]
13. [No. 4] Kevin Harvick / 599
14. [No. 3] Austin Dillon / 544
15. [No. 8] Tyler Reddick / 521
16. [No. 1] Kurt Busch / 471