2017 NASCAR Week 21: Pocono

Overton's 400

Pocono Raceway

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Same Day Qualifying and Racing

• This has to be the biggest thing to watch for this weekend in my opinion. For the first time in a long time NASCAR is running Cup Qualifying prior to the race on a Sunday. Yes, both on Sunday (Weekend Schedule here). I am not sure how it will all work out but I am interested to see it unfold on Sunday. I know some race fans love their long drawn out weekend while staying at the track and soaking it all in, but for me I wouldn't mind seeing it condensed down into two days (for Cup). Fans still get Friday truck action, but starting the Cup series on Saturday and ending on Sunday with Qualifying and the Race on Sunday helps those who want more bang for there buck and can only make it a day or two days tops. It may or may not work, but I am glad someone is trying it out, for the fans, drivers, teams, and crew, a shorter weekend could be a good thing (or backfire).

Can a Win-Less 2017 Driver Win at Pocono?

• Just like IMS, Pocono is a track that has opened itself up to surprise winners and young guns. Earlier this year Ryan Blaney won his first career Cup race at Pocono and Chris Buescher won on a fuel mileage/weather call the year before. On top of that Erik Jones and Kyle Larson have both done very well here in their short sample sizes (same with Blaney). Twelve current drivers have at least one win here, but seven of them were their only win here. So, you can win one random one here and never win again, but either way it will get you into the Playoffs.

Kasey Kahne Watch

• With his ride for 2018 potentially looming on a small thread, KK won last weekend at IMS in dramatic fashion. The first question? Does that mean he is going to still be in the No. 5 in 2018? Kahne is under contract next year, but with sponsor woah's hitting him and HMS rumors have been flying around on if he will be back with HMS. I still think he will be in the seat one more year and then William Byron will move up and take the fourth HMS car, but it will be interesting to watch going forward including Pocono. Pocono is a track he has won at before in 2008 and 2013 and it would be a good sign for him and his sponsors if he had a strong showing just one week after his IMS win.

The Next Step in Silly Season

• We now know that Alex Bowman will fill the 88, Erik Jones will leave the 77 for the No. 20, and Brad Keselowski will stay with the No. 2 team (as will Paul Wolfe). The big moves peopled rumored have been squashed so far (Kenseth and BK to the 88). Now that those moves are in place, what is the next pawn to fall? My guess is pieces start moving soon so a ton of focus maybe on 2018 already this weekend at Pocono. Will Kahne be back with HMS? Will Kenseth be forced to retire without a competitive ride? Where will Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray end up? Will the 77 get enough sponsorship to field a car (Maybe Kenseth?). I doubt anything as shocking as Carl Edwards stepping away will happen, but I do think some interesting things that pertain to charters and team structure will break soon.
• Edit: After this was writen but before it was released the next set of Silly Season News broke. Paul Menard is heading to the Wood Brothers No. 21 and Ryan Blaney will be joining Team Penske in a third car, the No. 12. 

**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**

The Good

• Kevin Harvick- In the last six races at Pocono Harvick has finished runner up 50% of the time. Yup, 2nd three times in six races without a win. Harvick actually has never won at Pocono, but with those types of numbers it's hard to count him out for his first.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr- Junior needs a strong run and a win this weekend at Pocono. In the last six he has two wins and a runner up finish.
• Kyle Larson- Small sample size alert, but Larson has never finished worse than 12th in his seven career starts at Pocono and has four top tens.

The Middle

• Clint Bowyer- Since 2008, Bowyer has finished outside of 18th just twice (18 total races in that time). He also has only seven top tens in that time, which puts him right in the middle of things.

The Bad

• Paul Menard- First, congrats to Paul on the No. 21 ride in 2018. However, that can't hide the fact that he has just two top 10's in 21 races at Pocono and only six top 15's.
• Jamie McMurray- JMac only has seven top tens in his 29 career starts here with the last one coming five races ago. In the last four races he only has one top 15.
• Joey Logano- JoLo has a win here and has produced in the past, but in his last four he has one top 5 and only two top 20's. I would bet he turns it around, but his recent struggles needed to be noted.

About the Track: Pocono Raceway

Track Stats

• Of current drivers (full time), Denny Hamlin has the most wins (4)
• Of current drivers (full time),  Kurt Busch has the most top 5's (14)
• Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin have the most Pole's of current drivers (3)
• Jeff Gordon has the most career Pocono wins (6) followed by Bill Elliott (5)
• Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon have the most career Pocono top 5's (20)
• Ricky Rudd has the most career Pocono starts (55) followed by Mark Martin (54)
• Of drivers with at least 10 Pocono starts, Davey Allison has the best average finish (9.8 in 13 starts).
• A Pocono race has been won from the Pole 15 times in 76 Cup races
• Chevy has won the last 7 of 10 races 8 of the last 13. Including Dale Earnhardt Jr sweeping in 2014.
• The furthest back anyone has started and won was 29th in 2005 when Carl Edwards won in the first Pocono stop of the year.

Track Info

• Surface: Asphalt
• Length: 2.5 Miles
• Banking
• Turn 1: 14 degrees
• Turn 2: 8 degrees
• Turn 3: 6 degrees

2017 NASCAR Schedule: Pocono

Overton's 400

By Richard Tix

All Times are Eastern (ET)


Friday, July 28th 2017

• 12-12:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice- FS1
• 2 p.m.-2:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice- FS1

Saturday, July 29th 2017

• 9 a.m.-9:55 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice- CNBC
• 10 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying- FS1
• 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice- NBCSN
• 1 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Overton’s 150 (60 laps)- FOX

Sunday, July 30th 2017

• 11:30 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying- NBCSN
• 3 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 (160 laps)- NBCSN

2017 NASCAR Pit Road Week 20: IMS

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400

By Richard Tix

The Week 20 NASCAR Power Rankings after Kasey Kahnes win at IMS.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 20 (Week 19)

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- The top three all got a pass for the week after the cluster that was IMS. The madness really got started when Truex and Kyle Busch went out, but before that Truex was easily the second best car of the day.
2. Kyle Larson (LW-2)- Toss this one out the window, just like results at Daytona. Let's move onto next week.
3. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- This one was wrapped up for Kyle to take and then it slipped away at a snap of a finger (or a mix up with the 78...). Either way, he was the head of the field and gets a pass this week, like so many others do.
4. Kevin Harvick (LW-4)- Harvick doesn't need a pass this week as he posted his third straight top ten (6th at IMS). He still doesn't seem to have winning speed every week, but the No. 4 team is consistently running towards the front.
5. Jimmie Johnson (LW-6)- What a move by JJ late on Sunday to push three wide while he had something causing smoke off of his car. It didn't end well, but it was the most exciting moment of the race in my eyes.
6. Chase Elliott (LW-5)- Can't catch a break? So far that's the No. 24's story this year, well that and not closing out races.
7. Brad Keselowski (LW-11)- Would BK have been better off starting on the bottom again? We will never know. Either way, Kahne took and won that race from him, but both gave us a fun show.
8. Matt Kenseth (LW-12)- Hanging around in 9th, Kenseth has to be worried about not winning and seeing someone lower than him in points getting a win (Think AJ or Junior). 
9. Denny Hamlin (LW-5)- DH's push on the second to last restart almost cost Kahne his win, but can you blame him for wanting to get a jump on it and seeing BK time it up perfect?
10. Jamie McMurray (LW-8)- JMac scrapped together a top 15 after a rough day on Sunday. Those things will come back to help when it comes down to the top 16 heading into the playoffs.
11. Joey Logano (LW-NR)- Welcome back to the rankings JoLo! Unfortunately it comes at a time where Kahne won and put you behind Clint Bowyer for the 17th spot.. Yes, Bowyer is in 17th and JoLo 18th for the final spot into the playoffs...
12. Clint Bowyer (LW-9)- Bowyer is now on the outside looking in (17th in Playoff Points) after Kahne's win. He has run well, but they need winning speed now..

Dropped Out: Ryan Blaney (LW-10)

Just Missed: Daniel Suarez

2017 NASCAR Week 20: Indianapolis

Brickyard 400

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Can Kyle Busch Go Back to Back to Back?

• Kyle Busch had four wins last year and five wins in 2015. I don't have to tell you that Kyle doesn't have a win yet this year. So, what am I getting at? What I want to note here is his last win at the Cup level was last season at IMS. I want to make a second note that in the last two years the only win he has had after IMS is Homestead in 2015 (which made him a Cup Champion). Heck, 9 of his 10 total wins since Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2013 (after IMS) were at IMS or before in that given season (2014, 2015, and 2016). So, its now or never for Kyle to get a win in 2017... Ok, I am just kidding about that, but it is worth watching to see if he can get three straight at IMS this weekend with how fast he has been here lately AND if he will win again after IMS for the first time since 2013.

Will a Surprise Winner Please Stand Up?

• It's not just that Paul Menard won here in 2011, but also that Jamie McMurray did it here the year before. Add in Ryan Newman in 2013 and Jeff Gordon's final win and you can see why it could be unpredictable. It isn't crazy to think that if Kyle Busch doesn't get it done for a third straight time that someone else doesn't win on fuel mileage or a bold late race call. The odd's are against someone considered a "surprise" to win, but it isn't out of the question and that is a crazy thought for race No. 20 and its implications going forward as things heat up.

Wednesday Action at Eldora

• Short and sweet, on a weekend that will be full of track "action" at IMS, getting your entertainment on Wednesday night is the best way to get your racing fill this week. Heck, watch Eldora on Wed. and head to a local track on Saturday! In all honesty it will be interesting to see how IMS goes this year because the interest seems to be waning in NASCAR, which is evident by them moving it to the 26th race in 2018 and trying to juice back up it's importance. But what needs no extra hyping is the Truck Series on dirt mid week, so look for Fox Business on your TV listing and settle in mid week for some fun racing.

**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**

The Good

• Kyle Busch- Not much needs to be said here, Rowdy has won and kissed the bricks the last two years. He also has seven straight top tens at IMS.
• Kyle Larson- Small sample size alert, but Larson has three top ten's in three career Cup starts here including a top five last year.
• Jimmie Johnson- Want to bet on someone not named Kyle to win IMS? Well, JJ might be your guy with four career Brickyard wins.

The Middle

• Brad Keselowski- In seven starts BK has just three top tens, but six finishes inside the top 20, and all seven were 21st or better. 

The Bad

• Kurt Busch- Unlike his brother, Kurt has yet to win at IMS. In fact, Kurt only has one top five in 16 starts here and only five top tens (only two in his last 12).
• Kasey Kahne- In his last seven Kahne has two top tens, which isn't ideal.
• Trevor Bayne- In six career starts Trevor has one lone top 20 (17th) and four top 30's... That's it. Sure, RFR not bringing the power (2 years) and Wood Brother being under funded (4 races) of those years hurts, but still Trevor hasn't shown much here.

About the Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Track Stats

• A race has been won from the Polefour times in 23 NASCAR races (Kyle Larson 2016, Newman 2013, Jimmie Johnson 2008, and Kevin Harvick 2003).
• Chevy had won 12 of the last 13 races and 16 of 22 races total before Kyle Busch (Toyota) won the last two years. Ford- 3, Toyota- 2 Pontiac- 1, and Dodge- 1 
• Jeff Gordon won the Inaugural Cup race in 1994
• Most cautions was 13 in 2004
• Gordon has the most career wins here with 5. Jimmie Johnson is next in line with 4
• 13 drivers have won at Indy including 9 that only won once.
• Only five drivers have multiple wins (Busch, Gordon, JJ, Tony Stewart, and Dale Jarrett).
• Gordon also has the most poles (3), top 5's (12), and top 10's (17) of any driver.

Track Info

• Surface- Asphalt
• Length- 2.5 miles
• Banking
• Turns: 9 degrees
• Straights: 0 degrees

2017 NASCAR Schedule: Indianapolis

Brickyard 400

By Richard Tix

All Times are Eastern (ET)


Tuesday July 18th 2017 (Eldora)

• 7-7:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice
• 9-9:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice

Wednesday July 19th 2017 (Eldora)

• 5 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole qualifying, FS1
• 7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series First Qualifying Race (10 laps)- FS2
• 7:39 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Second Qualifying Race (10 laps)- FS2
• 7:48 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Third Qualifying Race (10 laps)- FS2
• 7:57 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fourth Qualifying Race (10 laps)- FS2
• 8:06 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fifth Qualifying Race (10 laps)- FS2
• 8:45 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Last Chance Qualifying Race (15 laps)- FS2
• 9:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby (150 laps, 75 miles/40-50-60)- Fox Business Network

Friday July 21st 2017 (IMS)

• 1-1:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series practice
• 3-3:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice

Saturday July 22nd 2017 (IMS)

• 9-9:55 a.m.: NASCAR Monster Energy Series practice- CNBC
• 11-11:55 a.m.: NASCAR Monster Energy Series final practice- CNBC
• 12:45 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole qualifying- NBCSN
• 3:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Lilly Diabetes 250 (100 laps)- NBCSN
• 6:15 p.m.: NASCAR Monster Energy Series Coors Light Pole qualifying- NBCSN

Sunday July 23rd 2017 (IMS)

• 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Monster Energy Series Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 (160 laps)- NBC

2017 NASCAR Pit Road Week 19: NHMS

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Overton's 301

By Richard Tix

Loudon Thoughts

Late Start Times

• Is this really the issue fans want to fight? I guess this is the loud topic of the week this time... Unfortunately NASCAR hears the loud ones which means people focus on the real battle (exciting racing on the track) get overlooked all too often. I get it, the last start times are rough for many, but when you know the schedule you can at least try and plan around it. I would rather plan around a late time then always have a crappy car/race product on the track, so let's speak up for the important things and worry less about what time the race starts when it's a fight between three whole hours (noon or 3 for me in CT). Pick your battles and the one I want to win isn't the small battle..

Truex Playoff Points

• They just keep going up. Martin now has 29 playoff points and if the playoffs started today he would have 44 (meaning a race worth of points for every three race round). Meanwhile the next closest at the moment is Jimmie Johnson and his 16, and if the playoffs started today Larson and his 23 would be the closest (remember playoff points are awarded to the top 10 after the regular season). The fight for first was a lot more fun before the No. 42 got hit with a penalty, but it is still an important one to watch because Larson really could use the extra playoff points for being a regular season champion (15 points).

Fans in the Stands

• I am not one to harp on attendance on TV while sitting at home not at the track. I've long been behind the fact that the sport is in transition and right sizing from the over-sizing in the 90's at a time when HD TV and "attention spans" have taken over the sports world. However, this time some folks need to be called out.. That's right, everyone who was in such an uproar that NHMS was losing a date to Vegas, but didn't actually show up to show why NASCAR was wrong is on blast. You can not be the loud voice against something and then not actually support it to prove a point. What I saw in the stands was what NASCAR was acting on (plus the fact that they were getting money by moving to LVMS for a second date). The racing has been lagging some at NHMS for a bit now, but if you want to stand up and be that loud opinion guy on social media, then show up at the track... Shame on you.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 19 (Week 18)

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- Just another week for Martin win a dominate type of race that included a playoff point. This time he came up short of the win, though.
2. Kyle Larson (LW-2)- Truex is for sure 1A right now, but Kyle is a close 1B and doesn't seem to be fading (other than penalties).
3. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- 95 laps led, 41 total points, and a playoff point. Even with a rough 12th place finish the day actually went pretty well for Rowdy.
4. Kevin Harvick (LW-5)- Harvicks top fives and top tens are on par with Truex and Larson, but he is missing all of those wins (one total). If they find winning speed come playoff time the four team could upset the No. 42 and No. 78.
5. Denny Hamlin (LW-6)- After three top fours in four races, Hamlin finally broke out, held of Larson, and got win No. 1 of 2017.
6. Chase Elliott (LW-4)- The end of the race finishing position still seems to be an enigma for this No. 24 team.. They can win, but when will they finally put a whole race together?
7. Jimmie Johnson (LW-11)- JJ got back into the top ten column on Sunday with a 10th, but it still is weird to not see him contending as often (just three top fives thus far). When is the last time he only had three after 19 races?
8. Jamie McMurray (LW-7)- Sunday was a step back, but he has taken so many steps forward this year that he is still safe on points at the moment.
9. Clint Bowyer (LW-12)- In his last four he has an average finish of 6th. SHR as a whole seems to be on a bit of an uptick right now.
10. Ryan Blaney (LW-9)- The No. 21 team can be fast, but can they find consistent finishes?
11. Brad Keselowski (LW-NR)- BK is still eight in points after a horrible stretch that ended in crash after crash (all but one that wasn't his fault). His nine top fives and 12 top tens still show how good he can be when they're on the track (oh, and two wins).
12. Matt Kenseth (LW-NR)- Boy did Kenseth need that fourth place finish on Sunday. Between his great run and Joey Logano's poor run, Kenseth put some ground between them in the standings.

Dropped Out: Joey Logano (LW-8) and Erik Jones (LW-10)

Just Missed: Kurt Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2017 NASCAR Week 19: NHMS

Overton's 301

New Hampshire Motor Speedway 

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Once again, the battle for the regular season points champion

• This one might continue to be a headline every week, as it should. I don't think it gets enough attention by the NASCAR media and should be pointed out as a "rivalry" even though neither side really has a ton of bad blood for each other (past the small Dover incident). I mean, this is one of the better points battles we have had in awhile and the regular season points winner gets an extra 15 points to carry through the playoffs (second gets 10, so the winner will get 5 extra). Heading into Loudon Truex cut the difference on Larson to 1 point. The way it stands Larson needs to keep the top spot since Truex is racking up tons of playoff points already with stage and race wins. Keep an eye on the top spot for the rest of the season, it should play a big factor in who makes it to Homestead the easiest.

Joey Logano v Matt Kenseth

• Yeah, yeah, yeah, the rivalry has pretty much passed and cooled down. But, both drivers head into NHMS needing a win to solidify a spot in the playoffs at the track where the pile drive into the wall was heard around the world. Kenseth is currently 16th and if the regular season ended today "in" the playoffs, however a win by JoLo would actually knock him out. Joey is technically outside the playoff picture right now because his encumbered win doesn't count to lock him into them. What's even more interesting is that Loudon is a pretty good track for both drivers so I am sure they're ready to do whatever it takes to get to VL.

Laying down a "traction compound" at NHMS

• The bottom lane has been a freight train at NHMS for years now, which has really frustrated some because it's all the luck of getting a bottom restart (luck if you're not number one coming out that is). In response, NASCAR and NHMS are once again going to try a compound to try and open up another lane to race and pass with. The word is that they will place it on the middle groove in the hopes it helps open up the track. As it was with Bristol and CMS, this compound and how it effect the race will be a main focal point of the weekend.

**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**

The Good

• Matt Kenseth- Two wins and a second place finish in his last three NHMS starts, not bad huh? Kenseth needs a good run this weekend to give him a better playoff outlook so NHMS is a welcomed sight.
• Kevin Harvick- Guess who Kenseth was second to in that lone race he didn't win in the last three? Yup, Harvick. Happy also has four top fives in his last five races at Loudon.
• Joey Logano- Another driver who badly needs a good race is JoLo. Joey has four top fives and a win in his last five starts here.

The Middle

• Jimmie Johnson- JJ has won three times here, but none since 2010. He has been pretty solid for top ten's, but just hasn't run as strong as he did prior to 2010.

The Bad

• Paul Menard- 20 career starts. Zero top tens. To make it worse, Paul only has three top 15's and seven top 20's in that same time.
• Clint Bowyer- Five straight races here without a top 10, four of them outside the top 20. 
• Kurt Busch- In the last 13 races here Kurt has three top tens and only five top 15's.

Track Info

• Surface- Asphalt and Granite
• Length- 1.058 miles
• Banking
• Turns- variable, about 12% grade
• Straight- 1 degree

2017 NASCAR Pit Road Week 18: Kentucky

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Quaker State 400

By Richard Tix

Another short and busy week on NBTW. With that in mind the intro this week will be short and sweet while I focus on the rankings below and this weekends race preview. The dog days of summer have been beating on the site, but I do appreciate everyone who still comes back to check it out when i DON'T miss a week like I did last week.

Thing's are heating up on the track just like the weather. A battle remains for the points standings and as each race goes by the number 16 spot gets tougher to achieve. If you're a driver without a win any win by another driver below you in the standings would cause a huge blow to your playoff chances so every race matters.

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- Hard to argue Truex at No. 1. He just notched his third win of 2017 and now has 28 playoff points which is getting close to a whole race worth of bonus points which will carry with him every round.
2. Kyle Larson (LW-4)- All that said above, Larson is still the regular season points leader (which comes with bonus points at the end of the regular season). However, his lead has been trimmed to one heading into this weekend.
3. Kyle Busch (LW-2)- Since Talladega Rowdy has started to turn the corner (seven top tens in nine races). He is still looking for win No. 1 in 2017, though.
4. Chase Elliott (LW-5)- He is heating up again... If we take out Daytona, Chase has five top tens and three top 5's in his last five. The No. 24 team just needs to seal the deal late in a race.
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- Throwing out Daytona, Harvick ran really strong on Saturday at Kentucky (average running position of 4th). This team could be ready for s late Summer heat up.
6. Denny Hamlin (LW-8)- Hamlin is still win-less in 2017, but he (and JGR teammate Ky. Busch) seem to be getting things going as of late. In the last four races Hamlin has three 4th place finishes.
7. Jamie McMurray (LW-6)- JMac continues to show tons of consistency every week. This past weekend at Kentucky he put up 41 total points, which was the fifth most even though he finished seventh.
8. Joey Logano (LW-NR)- As it stands right now JoLo's encumbered win has him out of the playoffs. However, the No. 22 team has been putting together more solid runs week to week so things might be getting better sooner rather than later.
9. Ryan Blaney (LW-10)- They're fast most weeks, but need to find some consistency late in the race to seal the deal.
10. Erik Jones (LW-NR)- Truex maybe stealing all the spotlight, but Erik is starting to come on strong as well and shouldn't be overlooked. He has back to back top tens, which is actually the first time he has done that all year, and was close to his second top five this year (6th).
11. Jimmie Johnson (LW-7)- Six top tens in 18 races is a weird stat for JJ. No need to panic (3 wins), but he could use some more time up front.
12. Clint Bowyer (LW-NR)- Bowyers last three finishes of 2nd, 2nd, and 13th make up one of his better stretches so far of 2017. He is still teetering on the playoff bubble so a win would come in handy.

Dropped Out: Brad Keselowski (LW-9), Kurt Busch (LW-11), and Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-12)

Just Missed: Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Darrell Wallace Jr