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5 drivers who could still win their way into the NASCAR Playoffs — and probably need to

By Nick Tylwalk

LONG POND, PA - JULY 29: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 Stanley Toyota, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA - JULY 29: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 Stanley Toyota, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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LONG POND, PA – JULY 29: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Ford Ford, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA – JULY 29: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Ford Ford, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Best remaining shot: Bristol

Just like AJ Allmendinger’s shot at the NASCAR Playoffs probably went up in smoke when he made some early contact with Joey Logano at Watkins Glen, Stenhouse likely already blew his best chances to win his way in when he went 0-for-3 at restrictor plate races in the regular season after winning two of those same events in 2017. He didn’t manage much this year except ticking off half the garage at Daytona, so his shot is gone in the minds of most fans.

Except it isn’t yet. For some reason that only he and his Roush Fenway Racing teammates can fully comprehend, Stenhouse isn’t pants at short track racing like he is at most intermediate tracks, and he’s been especially formidable at Bristol. The fall race hasn’t been as good to him, but he has top-five finishes in three of the last four spring Bristol races, so there’s at least reason to think he can run well.

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And as Dale Earnhardt Jr. memorably said, it’s Bristol, baby! The Last Great Colosseum could definitely generate the same kind of carnage that takes out contenders in plate races, leaving Stenhouse in position to win a spot in the NASCAR Playoffs that he seems incapable of earning through consistency. It’s unfortunate for him that Talladega isn’t in the first round of playoff races should he pull it off, but just getting to Vegas with something to race for would be a big accomplishment for this team.

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