Kyle Larson, the driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, speaks with the media after having engine trouble during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 22, 2017, in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Each year, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs offer lots of excitement and plenty of action but also throw in a few surprises too. Four more drivers found themselves out of playoff contention after the race at Kansas last weekend. Those on the outside of the next Round of 8 include Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, and Kyle Larson…Kenseth and Larson? As hard as it is to believe, yes Kenseth and Larson are out of playoff contention, well before many believed would happen.
It’s easier to understand and accept Kahne and McMurray eliminations as McMurray’s Round of 12 results were fifth, 37th, and 34th, the latter two finishes as a result of accidents. While it’s been a good season for McMurray, his results haven’t been indicative of a championship run, as is the case for Kahne. The Round of 12 results for Kahne wasn’t as bad, with his worst finish at 15th, but his overall 2017 performance meant a lack of playoff points compared to some of his competitors, which accounts for his elimination from the playoffs.
Kenseth and Larson are much more of a shock. Kenseth would likely have made the next round of the playoffs if not for a race-ending penalty for too many pit crew members over the wall to repair accident damage. Larson was even more of a lock for the next playoff round, given his performance this entire season. Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet from Chip Ganassi Racing has been one of the few cars capable of running with the extremely fast No. 78 driven by Martin Truex Jr. and the No. 18 driven by Kyle Busch. Larson was one of the favorites to make it to the championship playoff Round of 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale but a blown engine in Kansas sealed his fate with his elimination from playoff contention.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series now moves on to the Round of 8 where undoubtedly more surprises will shape the landscape of who will emerge as the 2017 champion. It all starts on Sunday in Martinsville, VA, which is a wild card in itself. The 2017 playoffs have certainly been interesting and the plot only thickens from here.