CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, wins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
For the second straight year, Charlotte Motor Speedway forms into a road course to host the NASCAR Cup Series cut off race in the first round of the playoffs. Last year’s race left many drivers scratching their heads on how to tackle the ‘Roval.’ Many teams returned to the track this year looking to improve.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, crosses the finish line to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 21, 2019, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
After a fast start to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff stretch, race teams were looking forward to Richmond Raceway as a race to bounce back into contention and further advance themselves in the point standings. Martin Truex Jr, with Joe Gibbs Racing, has the clear advantage in the early goings after securing the first win of the playoffs at Las Vegas. This automatically advances him into the next round and allows him the chance to earn extra points toward the championship title.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 15: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, crosses the finish line to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 15, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the site for the first race in the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. There are ten races in the playoffs, but it is a tough road to make it to Homestead-Miami as a contender for the championship title. Sunday night’s first race was a prime example of how competitive it is throughout the playoffs.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Mobil 1 Ford, crosses the finish line to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 08, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Big Machine Vodka 400 on Sunday afternoon
was high pressure for the bubble drivers around the cutoff line trying to race
their way into the playoffs with a win.