2019 NASCAR CHASE PREVIEW - ROUND 3

Kansas produced the kind of drama we’d expect from an elimination race in the Chase – it took 2 tries at a green-white-checker overtime finish just to settle the 8 drivers who’d advance to round 3 of the Chase. When the dust finally cleared, Denny Hamlin came away with the trophy and the check while Chase Elliott locked Brad Keselowski out of the Eliminator 8 by 3 points. Now to look at the 8 who will compete for their chance to punch their ticket to Miami on November 17^th:

1. Kyle Busch – 4000 points

2. Martin Truex Jr. – 4000 points

3. Denny Hamlin – 4000 points

4. Joey Logano – 4000 points

5. Kevin Harvick – 4000 points

6. Chase Elliott – 4000 points

7. Kyle Larson – 4000 points

8. Ryan Blaney – 4000 points

3 races on 3 very different tracks await our Elite 8. First up….

First Data 500 – October 27^th, 3 PM Eastern, NBCSN

Who could ever forget this race 2 years ago? This is where Kyle Busch claimed his ticket to Miami while Denny Hamlin punched his ticket into NASCAR infamy by spinning out fan favorite driver Chase Elliott late in the race. Last year, the race came down to Logano vs. Truex with Logano claiming victory and eventually, the championship. This year, however, it’ll be Chase getting revenge for his 2017 tussle with Hamlin.

Chaser Running Order:

Elliott (WINNER), Truex (2^nd), Harvick (10^th), Larson (13^th), Blaney (17^th), Logano (24^th), Kyle Busch (25^th), Hamlin (36^th)

Points after Martinsville:

1. Chase Elliott – 4047 points (IN)

2. Martin Truex Jr. – 4044 points

3. Kevin Harvick – 4035 points

4. Kyle Larson – 4031 points

5. Ryan Blaney – 4027 points (-4 from 4^th)

6. Joey Logano – 4020 points (-11 from 4^th)

7. Kyle Busch – 4019 points (-12 from 4^th)

8. Denny Hamlin – 4009 points (-22 from 4^th)

Next up…

AAA Texas 500 – November 3^rd, 3 PM Eastern, NBCSN

Kevin Harvick claimed the checkers here last year and he’s proven to be stellar at the 1.5 mile tracks this season. Look for him to be the next driver to punch his ticket to Miami.

Chaser Running Order: Harvick (WINNER), Kyle Busch (4^th), Truex Jr. (5^th), Blaney (9^th), Elliott (10^th), Larson (13^th), Hamlin (17^th), Logano (23^rd)

Points after Texas:

1. Martin Truex Jr. – 4084 points

2. Kevin Harvick – 4083 points (IN)

3. Chase Elliott – 4082 points (IN)

4. Kyle Larson – 4062 points

5. Ryan Blaney – 4062 points (Tied for 4th)

6. Kyle Busch – 4060 points (-2 from 4^th)

7. Joey Logano – 4041 points (-21 from 4^th)

8. Denny Hamlin – 4036 points (-26 from 4^th)

Finally, we have…

Can-Am 500 – November 10^th, 3 PM Eastern, NBC

Phoenix Raceway – a short, tricky, mile-long track; recently went through renovations that flip-flopped the layout, made for more exciting and unpredictable racing…just the way Truex likes it! Martin Truex Jr. will punch his ticket to the Championship 4 with a win here.

Chaser Running Order: Truex (WINNER), Elliott (2^nd), Larson (6^th), Harvick (10^th), Blaney (13^th), Kyle Busch (14^th), Logano (19^th), Hamlin (27^th)

Points after Phoenix:

1. Martin Truex Jr. – 4132 points (IN)

2. Chase Elliott – 4125 points (IN)

3. Kevin Harvick – 4118 points (IN)

4. Kyle Larson – 4100 points

5. Kyle Busch – 4094 points (-6 from 4^th)

6. Ryan Blaney – 4093 points (-7 from 4th)

7. Joey Logano – 4066 points (-34 from 4^th)

8. Denny Hamlin – 4053 points (-47 from 4^th)

So…the Championship 4 will be: Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson.

Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin will fizzle out after Phoenix.