2023 NASCAR Playoffs: Bubba Wallace, proudly representing 23XI Racing, claimed the 16th and final slot in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in a fantastic turn of events. Chase Elliott, driving Hendrick Motorsports’ powerful No. 9 car, beat Wallace’s No. 23 car and finished 16th in the owner playoffs.
Missing seven crucial races made Elliott’s season worse. This was his first time on the outside looking in in his eight-year career, and harmed his postseason chances. However, others who filled his race shoes while he was outplayed a significant role. Their efforts helped the No. 9 team win by earning vital points.
In the driver and owner playoffs, two groups of 16 participants with only one change contrasted. The round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway revealed a surprising fact: the four drivers due to be eliminated were tied to their teams, which all lost.
Elliott’s outstanding play for the No. 9 squad put them into the owner playoffs, unlike the No. 23 club. Elliott was absent from the driver playoffs, where Wallace was advancing.
This high-stakes race cost Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 driver, Kevin Harvick, Team Penske’s No. 22 driver, Joey Logano, JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Front Row Motorsports’ No. 34 driver Michael McDowell.
Imagine Logano beating Wallace in the round of 12 to secure the 12th and last berth. Logano would have advanced in this parallel reality, but his squad would have been eliminated, which was tragic.
An examination shows that even if Logano had held onto 12th, his No. 22 car would have remained in 13th, far from Elliott’s driver threat. It would have happened to Harvick, Stenhouse, and McDowell, leaving their teams with early exits.
This odd playoff setup reminds me of last season when playoff and non-playoff drivers worked with different teams.
Elliott reached the Championship 4 despite his No. 9 club missing the playoffs. Kyle Larson’s No. 5 team went to Championship 4 despite being eliminated in the round of 12. The intriguing dance between making and missing the playoffs peaked when Wallace replaced a hurt Kurt Busch in the No. 45 vehicle.
This made last year’s playoffs seem complex. However, after this season’s round of 16, Wallace led, the No. 9 car won, and every losing driver saw their team’s dreams dashed.
The story is still unexpected as we prepare for the round of 12, round of 8, and possibly the championship round of 4. Mystery and fresh possibilities arise from the No. 9 team’s owner ranks and Wallace’s driver standings.
Strangely, a driver could be ousted in the round of 12, but their team wins the owner title. However, a team may lose in the round of 12, but its daring driver may win the coveted driver title.
Wallace and the No. 9 team might climb to their respective thrones while Elliott and the No. 23 finish 17th. Though rare, such a conclusion is mathematically plausible. The ever-changing drama of NASCAR’s top ranks intrigues this 1 in 144 chance narrative.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who made NASCAR playoffs 2023?
The Championship 4 has been finalized, with Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron set to compete for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title this Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney secured his spot in the Championship 4 with a victory at Martinsville Speedway last Sunday. The stage is now set for an exciting showdown between these top drivers.
Who is still in the NASCAR playoff?
The NASCAR Playoff Standings & Drivers are in full swing, with Ryan Blaney leading the pack in his Team Penske No. 12 Ford. Blaney has had an impressive 2023 season so far, with three wins under his belt (Charlotte, Talladega-Oct, Martinsville-Oct), eight top-5 finishes, and 560 laps led. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing is also making waves in his No. 20 Toyota, while Kyle Larson and William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports are hot on their heels in their No. 5 Chevrolet and No. 24 Chevrolet, respectively. It’s an exciting time for NASCAR fans as the competition heats up.
What is the format for the 2023 Nascar playoffs?
The playoffs consist of four rounds: Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 8, and Championship 4. The Championship 4 is unique as all four drivers have their points reset to the same number for the final race at Phoenix Raceway. This ensures an exciting and fair competition for the ultimate title.
Who is in the round of 8 in NASCAR?
The NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8 is set to kick off this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and you can catch all the action on NBC and USA Network. The top drivers in the standings, including William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, will be battling it out for the championship title. With so much on the line, you won’t want to miss a single lap of this exciting race. Tune in and see who comes out on top!
