Gragson Needs Chicagoland Win to Make Playoffs

Noah Gragson, the driver of the #18 Switch Toyota, prepares to practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series TheHouse.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 14, 2017, in Joliet, Illinois. Photo – Jared C Tilton/Getty Images

‘Win and you’re in’ is the name of the game in NASCAR.

You win a race and you’re guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Noah Gragson will attempt to complete the process in Friday’s TheHouse.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway (8:30 pm ET on FS1). Currently 11th on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs grid, Gragson cannot make the postseason on points. Continue reading →

Is There a Playoff Favorite? That Depends on Whom You Ask

Martin Truex Jr. speaks to the media as one of the 16 drivers eligible to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship during the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs Production & Media Day at NASCAR Hall of Fame on September 13, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Regular-season champion Martin Truex Jr. says it’s hard to pick a favorite in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff.

Kyle Busch disagrees. Continue reading →

Harvick: Playoff Points Likely to Gain Importance in Later Rounds

Kevin Harvick, the driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

No one knows precisely how the current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff format will unfold this season. Continue reading →

Kyle Busch Looks for an Edge with Pit Crew Swap

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, pits during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

When Kyle Busch starts this year’s playoff, he won’t have the same pit crew that helped him to a third-place finish in the 26-race regular season.

Instead, the 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion will enter the final ten races with the over-the-wall crew that has serviced the cars of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez throughout the season. Continue reading →