Chase Elliott on the bubble as four drivers face Roval elimination

The Spherical of 12 opened with one other spoiler as Ross Chastain took the checkered flag at Kansas. The sector then raced into Talladega the place yet one more non-playoff driver stole all of the glory with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. profitable the race. This implies nobody bought to routinely advance into the Spherical of 8 through a win this spherical, however that does not imply nobody is locked in.

Locked in or feeling good

William Byron really earned sufficient factors during the last two races to clinch a spot mathematically, so he has nothing to fret about at Charlotte. Whereas not technically locked in, Christopher Bell at +57 and Kyle Larson at +52 are in a very sturdy spot to maneuver ahead. You can be seeing these drivers within the Spherical of 8 which is fascinating, as all three made the Championship 4 final yr.

Simply hold it clear

After his cautious method backfired at Atlanta, Denny Hamlin did it once more at Talladega, however this time, it paid off in an enormous manner. When over half the sphere crashed on the backstretch, he was nowhere close to the chaos and gained a mountain of factors in consequence. He now enters Charlotte +30 to the cut-line and simply must keep away from any catastrophic setbacks this weekend. Alex Bowman at +26 and Ryan Blaney at +25 are in related positions. Gather some stage factors, end the race, and every little thing ought to be okay. Nonetheless, historical past tells us that it by no means finally ends up being that simple.

On the recent seat

Common season champion Tyler Reddick is simply +14 factors above the elimination zone and NASCAR’s Most In style Driver is in the identical boat. Chase Elliott is sitting on the bubble at +13. And bear in mind, it does not matter what number of factors you will have if any of these 4 drivers beneath you go and win the race. Because the bubble driver, you may be out.

Fortuitously for Elliott, he is not solely gained on the Roval however he is the one energetic driver to have gained it greater than as soon as. Reddick can also be a really succesful street racers with the second-highest common end on the Charlotte Roval, in addition to race wins at COTA, the Indy RC and Highway America. On the finish of the day, they could be racing one another on Sunday. Ought to a Briscoe or Cindric discover their manner into the lead and the drivers above these two do not get into bother, it’s important to keep away from being the driving force on the chopping block. Due to this, Elliott and Reddick shall be maintaining a tally of one another, simply as a lot (if no more) than these behind them.

The 2-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion has a wierd sample he wish to proceed yr — he has made the Championship 4 in alternating years because the present format’s introduction (’14, ’16, ’18, ’20, ’22) whereas lacking out the remainder of the time. Sadly, in contrast to these he’s chasing, he hasn’t had a lot success on street programs. He does have a pole and two top-five finishes on the Roval, however he might want to have his greatest exhibiting but to keep away from elimination. Anticipate Logano to go for as many stage factors as potential as he tries to bridge that hole to these forward.

Joey Logano, Crew Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang

Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photos

The Trackhouse driver took a foul scenario and made it worse at Talladega, crashing himself whereas making an attempt to aggressively mix into the pack after an early pass-through penalty left him a lap down. This can be a troublesome factors deficit to make up, particularly with the caliber of drivers straight in entrance of him, nevertheless it’s not all dangerous for Suarez. He is a superb street racer and whereas success has eluded him on the Roval, Trackhouse has proven an uptick in velocity just lately and his teammate led half the race at Watkins Glen. He is additionally in a troublesome spot the place he has to determine if going for factors is the suitable play or if he ought to gamble all of it and go straight for the win. Sadly, Suarez and the opposite two remaining underdog tales within the playoffs carry up the rear of the factors grid, so it might be fairly the upset if he may drag himself out of the elimination zone.

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway Insurance coverage Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photos

One other Crew Penske driver in peril, and the way various things may have been for the driving force of the No. 2 Ford. He was main late at Talladega and will have completely gained that race, however a foul push despatched him spinning in the midst of the pack as an alternative. Whereas he may nonetheless level his manner in mathematically, his solely actual shot is to go straight for the win. He is by no means gained a street course race on the Cup degree, which is a shock. He has a background in street racing and 5 of his 13 Xfinity wins got here on tracks that go each left and proper. He should dig deep and discover a approach to lastly try this on the Cup degree asap, or his playoffs shall be over.

Austin Cindric, Crew Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang

Photograph by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Photos

In all probability probably the most distinctive story of the playoffs surrounds this driver. Stewart-Haas Racing is only a few weeks away from shutting down, however Briscoe gained the common season finale and gave them one final shot at NASCAR glory. With your complete four-car group rallying behind him, he bested champions Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski to advance into this spherical. Sadly, issues haven’t gone almost as effectively right here and luck was not on his facet at Talladega. Like Cindric, he has to go for the race win on the Roval. It is his solely actual hope of holding this dream alive for SHR. Like Cindric, he’s a driver who confirmed promise on street programs in decrease divisions, however he is but to search out Victory Lane at such tracks within the Cup Sequence. However after we discuss a driver and group who’ve actually nothing to lose, there is no one who suits that higher than this No. 14 workforce.