Clinching Scenarios: Cup Series – Indy Road Course

There is still 3 races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, but heading into the Indy Road Course there are still some playoff spots that can be clinched this weekend that do not include winning. Below are the scenarios in which no matter what happens in the race Sunday, if the scenario happens then the ticket is punched to the playoffs. Likely the drivers will not need this much, but this is the maximum that needs to be done to clinch. However in the instance where a driver needs more or less than another, that is what needs to be done (or better) no exceptions.

*Does not include winning driver/owner scenario

Driver Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Kevin Harvick

• • • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs doesn’t win: Needs 1* of the following scenarios
      • 44 points (2nd place finish + 9 Stage Pts)
      • Be within 11 points of Bubba Wallace
    • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Brad Keselowski

• • • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs doesn’t win: Needs the following scenario
      • 1 point more than Bubba Wallace (or better)
    • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

• • • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs doesn’t win: Can’t clinch playoff spot
    • Driver below cut or Wallace/Gibbs wins: Needs to win to clinch playoff spot

Owner Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4

• • • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 doesn’t win: Needs both of the following scenarios
      • 10 points more than the No. 9 (or better)
      • Be within 11 points of the No. 23
    • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing No. 6

• • • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 doesn’t win: Needs both of the following scenarios
      • 22 points more than the No. 9 (or better)
      • 1 point more than the No. 23 (or better)
    • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

• • • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 doesn’t win: Can’t clinch playoff spot
    • Owner below cut or No.9/No.23 wins: Needs to win to clinch playoff spot