It was a packed weekend of racing with all three racing series in action in two different cities. The Cup Series crowned a regular season champion, the Xfinity Series had a double overtime photo finish, and the Truck Series filled half the grid for the round of eight in the playoffs.
While Martin Truex Jr. Clinched the regular season championship in the second stage of the race, Chris Buescher won his third race of the season in an overtime finish after Ryan Preece brought out the caution flag with five laps remaining in the race.
After getting hit from behind, Ryan Preece’s number 41 car got into the grass and went airborne barrel rolling the car 10 times before landing on all four wheels. Preece exited the car unaided but was strapped to a stretcher for precautionary measures before being taken to the infield care center. He was later taken to Halifax Medical Center where he spent the night under observation. Preece has since been released from the hospital and via a social media post vows a return in short order.
Buescher’s win also secured Bubba Wallace his first bid in the playoffs.
While Martin Truex Jr won the regular season championship and 15 bonus playoff points, William Byron sits atop the playoff leaderboard after winning five races this season.
Per playoff rules all the playoff drivers have had their points reset to 2,000 with all bonus and playoff points earned during the season added on.
Cup Series Playoff Standings:
William Byron – 2,036
Martin Truex Jr – 2,036
Denny Hamlin – 2,025
Chris Buescher – 2,021
Kyle Busch – 2,019
Kyle Larson – 2,017
Christopher Bell – 2,014
Ross Chastain – 2,011
Brad Keselowski – 2,010
Tyler Reddick – 2,009
Joey Logano – 2,008
Ryan Blaney – 2,008
Michael McDowell – 2,007
Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 2,005
Kevin Harvick – 2,004
Bubba Wallace – 2,000
The Xfinity Series has two more races in the regular season. The Friday night race at Daytona looked more like the final race of the season than a run up to the playoffs. Justin Allgaier his second win of the season with a double overtime finish of .0005 seconds over Sheldon Creed.
Austin Hill holds on to the points lead; along with the playoff points lead.
Xfinity Point Standings:
Austin Hill – 919
Justin Allgaier – 892
John Hunter Nemechek – 891
Cole Custer – 817
Sam Mayer – 755
Josh Berry – 733
Sheldon Creed – 683
Daniel Hemric – 679
Chandler Smith – 675
Parker Kligerman – 643
Riley Herbst – 623
Sammy Smith – 609
Jeb Burton – 573
Brandon Jones – 555
Brett Moffitt – 527
Kaz Grala – 461
Parker Retzlaff – 456
Ryan Sieg – 446
Jeremy Clements – 389
Anthony Alfredo – 339
Kyle Sieg – 323
Josh Williams – 311
Joe Graf Jr – 296
Brennan Poole – 259
Ryan Ellis – 247
Kyle Weatherman – 240
Alex Labbe – 218
Jeffreu Earnhardt – 217
Ryan Truex – 197
Blaine Perkins – 196
Connor Mosack – 178
Patrick Emerling – 148
Sage Karam – 136
Gray Gaulding – 132
Josh Bilicki – 124
Joey Gase – 113
Garrett Smithley – 113
Derek Kraus – 88
Stefan Parsons – 77
Myatt Snider – 67
Miguel Paludo – 63
Parker Chase – 55
Leland Honeyman – 52
Mason Massey – 45
Preston Pardus – 45
CJ McLaughlin – 43
Brad Perez – 40
David Starr – 39
Caesar Bacarella – 38
Alex Guenette – 23
Jordan Anderson – 22
Dylan Lupton – 21
Standon Barrett – 18
Dexter Stacey – 14
Jade Buford – 13
Trevor Bayne – 13
Spencer Pumpelly – 9
Jesse Iwuji – 7
Jj Yeley – 7
Natalie Decker – 5
Brent Sherman – 3
Max McLaughlin – 3
Dawson Cram – 2
Chad Finchum – 2
Greg van Alst – 2
Andre Castro – 2
Justin Marks – 1
Katherine Legge – 1
Returning to the Milwaukee Mile, Grant Enfinger dominated the Clear Harbors 175 in the Craftsman Truck Series to secure a spot in the round of eight in the playoffs. Corey Heim and Christian Eckes have also clinched spots in the next round of the playoffs on points.
Craftsman Truck Series Playoff Standings:
Corey Heim – 2,126
Christopher Eckes – 2,117
Grant Enfinger – 2,114
Carson Hocevar – 2,112
Ty Majeski – 2,108
Zane Smith – 2,085
Matt Crafton – 2,065
Nick Sanchez – 2,059
Ben Rhodes – 2,056
Matt DiBenedetto – 2,039