After a late race at Texas, we get a late race at Phoenix. And that’s where the similarities end—Texas is a freaking disaster most of the time, while Phoenix has the good kinds of disasters, like mayhem and side-by-side racing. Here’s how the remaining eight Playoff drivers look as they head to Arizona:
 |
| Gimme all your stage points, don't give up until we're good... |
CLINCHED: Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick. Two of the safest bets this year are locked into the Homestead finale. With virtually no chance for Truex-like ADVERSITY or Harvick-like DRAMA, Rick Allen will have to dig deep for something to ram into the ground.
GOOD BARRING DISASTER: none
GOOD BARRING A BAD DAY OR A “WIN AND YOU’RE IN”: Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. Rowdy (22 points to the good) and JoLo (20 to the good) need to have decent runs and hope that none of the other four drivers post a win. If one of the other drivers DOES win, however, these two will have to fight each other for the final spot—and if Denny Hamlin knocks out Joey Logano via a win, lord help us.
ON THE BUBBLE BUT IN CONTROL: none
ON THE BUBBLE AND NEEDING HELP: none
NEEDS HELP: Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson. Hamlin (-20), Blaney (-23) and Larson (-23) will likely be in “win now” mode at Phoenix, but could sneak their way in if Busch or Logano DNF. Luckily we should know the answer to the final four by Sunday evening—unless someone fails inspection (please, don’t ANYONE in the Playoffs fail inspection).
NEEDS A WIN: Chase Elliott. 78 points in the hole means that Chase Elliott needs to win his way in or go home after Phoenix. Well, he was probably planning on going home anyways—its a figure of speech, people.