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The NASCAR Cup Collection Playoffs kicked off the second spherical of the Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Right here’s a take a look at the “Energy Rankings” after Sunday night time’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400:
1. Denny Hamlin
Harm with JGR teammate Ty Gibbs impacted Hamlin’s handing however he was nonetheless in a position to muscle his manner house to a fifth place Texas end and keep very a lot alive in his quest to finish his profession championship drought.
Playoff Rating: 2nd
Final Week: 1st
2. William Byron
A series-high victory quantity six gave Byron a berth within the Spherical of 8 and the chance to relaxation simpler at Talladega and The Roval in the remainder of this spherical. It additionally gave Hendrick Motorsports its three hundredth Cup victory.
Playoff Rating: 1st
Final Week: fifth
3. Kyle Larson
He led 99 laps however an accident whereas racing for place with Bubba Wallace despatched Larson into the wall, out of the race and residential from Texas with a disappointing thirty first place end. Talladega will likely be a wrestle for Larson primarily based on previous historical past on the observe the place he’s had 4 finishes of thirty third or worse since 2019.
Playoff Rating: eighth
Final Week: 2nd
4. Chris Buescher
Not the Texas homecoming he was on the lookout for however Buescher did lead a few laps for the primary time at his house observe. He’ll look to return to his higher ending methods this week at Talladega.
Playoff Rating: third
Final Week: 4th
5. Bubba Wallace
The dominant automotive at Texas profitable the pole and main 111 laps. However one other pricey late race restart mistake stored Wallace from Victory Lane and he was compelled to accept third place on Sunday.
Playoff Rating: ninth
Final Week: ninth
6. Brad Keselowski
One other regular as she goes outing for Keselowski who introduced house a seventh-place Texas end. He heads to Talladega the place profession win quantity seven on Sunday would come at a really opportune time for Keselowski on this yr’s Playoffs.
Playoff Rating: seventh
Final Week: sixth
7. Christopher Bell
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver mentioned after the race he didn’t have a quick automotive and there have been extra struggles for the No. 20 crew on pit street. However one way or the other Bell was in a position to persevere by way of all these challenges to come back house with a top-five Texas end.
Level Standings: 4th
Final Week: eighth
8. Tyler Reddick
Technique and restarts impacted Reddick in each a great way and dangerous manner Sunday at Texas. A late race accident lastly ended any hopes for a superb end to again up his Texas win of a yr in the past and Reddick was credited with a Twenty fifth-place end.
Playoff Rating: tenth
Final Week: third
9. Chase Elliott
Constant finishes haven been the calling card for Elliott over the past couple of months. Nonetheless, profitable stays elusive and Sunday at Talladega will mark the one yr anniversary of the final time the No. 9 crew gained a race.
Level Standings: seventeenth
Final Week: seventh
10. Ross Chastain
Velocity appears to be again for Chastain and the No. 1 crew at Trackhouse Racing. Even after battling some throttle points Chastain was in a position to bounce again and earn a second place end at Texas.
Playoff Rating: sixth
Final Week: NR
Dropped Out: Martin Truex Jr.