Clinching Scenarios: Cup Series – Watkins Glen

Here we are again. With Michael McDowell winning and clinching a playoff spot last week at the Indy Road Course no one else clinched a spot. Thus this week at Watkins Glen we have more clinching scenarios, however the scenarios for the Driver Playoff are quiet boring honestly. On the other hand the Owner Playoff scenarios have a bit more intrigue to them. Thankfully we also have a clinching scenario for regular season owner and driver championship as well to spice it up even that much more. 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 or the regular season championship is clinched. 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 Regular Season Points Championship Clinching Scenarios

Martin Truex Jr.

• • • Needs all of the following scenarios:
      • 1 point more than Denny Hamlin
      • 17 points (20th place finish) OR Be within 43 points of William Byron

Driver Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Kevin Harvick

• • • Driver below cut or Wallace doesn’t win: CLINCHED
    • Driver below cut or Wallace wins: Needs the following scenario
      • 54 points more than Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski

• • • Driver below cut or Wallace doesn’t win: CLINCHED
    • Driver below cut or Wallace wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

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

Owner Regular Season Points Championship Clinching Scenarios

Joe Gibbs Racing No.19

• • • Needs all of the following scenarios:
      • 26 points more than the No.11
      • 17 points (20th place finish) OR Be within 43 points of the No.24

Owner Playoff Spot Clinching Scenarios

Stewart-Haas Racing No.4

• • • Owner below cut or No.9 doesn’t win: Needs 1* of the following scenarios
      • 54 points more than the No.6
      • 45 points (2nd place finish + 10 Stage Pts) OR Be within 10 points of the No.9
    • Owner below cut or No.9 wins: Needs both of the scenarios above

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing No.6

• • • Owner below cut or No.9 doesn’t win: Needs the following scenario
      • 47 points (2nd place finish + 12 Stage Pts) OR Be within 8 points of the No.9
    • Owner below cut or No.9 wins: Can’t clinch playoff spot

Everyone else without a win

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