Round 1 of the NASCAR Playoffs are complete
The first round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs is now complete. The third and final race of the opening round came to a close on Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
View 2020 NASCAR Playoff points below.
16 drivers advanced into the Playoffs, which began September 6th. After last night, just 12 drivers remain as driver head into round two.
Round One Tracks: Darlington Raceway, Richmond Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Round Two Tracks: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval
NASCAR Playoffs: Round One and Elimination
Winners: Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski each won races in the opening round. Harvick the first race of the playoffs at Darlington, Keselowski won last week at Richmond and yesterday Harvick returned to victory lane.
Keselowski led many laps on Saturday night at Bristol. Power steering issues sent the driver multiple laps down and eventually to the garage.
Eliminated: William Byron, Cole Custer, Matt DiBenedetto and Ryan Blaney are all eliminated.
Byron was involved in a crash early at Bristol, forcing him to the garage.
Custer was also involved in a crash at Bristol. He didn’t go to the garage but remained on the track with heavy nose damage.
Matt DiBenedetto suffered a flat tire under green. Following a green flag pit stop, he was trapped three laps down. DiBenedetto was able to climb back onto the lead lap but was unable to get the win.
Blaney came into the race near a must win situation. He struggled early in the event with handling issues. Later in the race, he climbed into the top 5 but was unable to get the win.
After round one, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski are the Playoff favorites.
NASCAR Cup Series
Playoff Points
After: Bristol (Sept 19, 2020)
Pos | Driver
1. Kevin Harvick
3,067
2. Denny Hamlin
3,048
3. Brad Keselowski
3,035
4. Joey Logano
3,022
5. Chase Elliott
3,021
6. Martin Truex Jr
3,016
7. Alex Bowman
3,009
8. Austin Dillon
3,005
9. Aric Almirola
3,005
10. Kyle Busch
3,004
11. Clint Bowyer
3,004
12. Kurt Busch
3,001
— ELIMINATED AFTER ROUND 1 —
William Byron
No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Cole Custer
No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Matt DiBenedetto
No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney
No. 12 Team Penske Ford
