NASCAR Round of 8 Drama: After a rollercoaster start to the round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney initially faced an uphill battle, sitting 17 points below the Championship 4 cut line. However, a dramatic turn of events saw him disqualified, plummeting to a staggering 56 points behind and essentially putting him in a must-win situation for the upcoming races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.
But, the motorsports saga took another twist as Blaney’s disqualification was overturned, bringing him back to just 17 points behind the cutoff as he prepares for the middle race of the semifinal round at Homestead. Among the eight remaining championship contenders, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher finds himself in the most precarious position, sitting 23 points out of the cutoff.
However, there’s an intriguing subplot in the owner playoffs. Throughout the first seven playoff races, Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team remains in the owner playoffs, despite Elliott himself not securing a postseason spot for the first time in his career.
Elliott’s team ousted Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team during the round of 12, even though Truex remains a contender for the championship on the driver’s side. Elliott’s Las Vegas race was nothing short of disastrous, with a 32nd-place finish and no stage points. This placed his No. 9 team 61 points below the Championship 4 cut line in the owner playoffs.
The five-time reigning Most Popular Driver has yet to secure a win this year, but he boasts a victory at Martinsville in 2020, an achievement that propelled him to the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway, where he clinched the title. Can he guide his No. 9 team back to the Championship 4, marking their return since 2021 (they missed it in 2022), and potentially clinch an owner championship as a non-playoff driver?
The drama of the round of 8 continues this weekend with the second of its three races. The 4Ever 400 is set to unfold this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with NBC providing live coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Was Martin Truex Jr eliminated?
Martin Truex Jr. expressed his disappointment over a costly mistake that prevented him from racing for a championship at Phoenix. Despite thinking he was well under speed when leaving his box, Truex Jr. was left feeling frustrated and let down. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the talented driver, who had high hopes for the race.
Who is the richest NASCAR driver?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is undoubtedly the wealthiest and most renowned NASCAR driver, with a staggering net worth of $300 million. His success on the track and off has made him a household name, and his popularity shows no signs of waning.
Who won the NASCAR Championship 2023 playoffs?
In a thrilling finale to the 2023 NASCAR Cup season, Ryan Blaney emerged victorious to claim his first championship title. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain took the final race of the season in impressive fashion. It was a fitting end to an exciting year of racing, with both drivers showcasing their skills and determination on the track. Blaney’s win cements his place among the sport’s elite, while Chastain’s performance serves as a reminder of his potential for future success. Overall, it was a memorable season for NASCAR fans around the world.
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!
