Youth movement making strides quickly in playoffs
Blaney, Elliott remain alive for one berth in finale.
AVONDALE,ARIZ.— There’s no denying the rapid changing of the guard in NASCAR, and this year’s playoffs proved how quickly the young new drivers can make their way in this sport.
Ryan Blaney, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson claimed four of the 16 playoff positions — a glimpse of the future of NASCAR.
Blaney and Elliott are the only two drivers still in the playoffs, and the two are among five drivers racing today at Phoenix Raceway for one berth in next week’s championship deciding Cup finale. Blaney will start from the pole and Elliott will start fourth.
Their competition? Seven-time and defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, 2012 champion Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, probably the most successful active driver without a title.
A win today by any of the five earns them an automatic berth into the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Already qualified for the title race are 2015 champion Kyle Busch, 2014 champion Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr., the most dominant driver this season. Blaney is ready to roll. “I don’t really feel a lot of pressure in any situation,” he said after winning the pole. He also noted that by points, he’s not currently eligible for the fourth spot. Should none of the contenders win at Phoenix, the final spot at Homestead will go to the highest-ranked driver, and that is currently Keselowski.
“We’re really not under any pressure right now. We’re out,” Blaney said. “If we were in right now, if we were like in a spot where we could get bumped out, that would be pressure. We really don’t have much to lose just because we’re not in a position to where we’re already locked in.
“I just think we’re up for the challenge. I think this team rises to those occasions and that’s what I like.”
Elliott likened his situation to the closing laps of the Daytona 500, when he ran out of gas while leading. Opportunities come and go, and he’s learning that he’s got to grab them when he has the chance. He’d been eliminated from the playoffs before this round last year, so Elliott embraced that he’s still got a shot.
“This is my second time in the playoffs, we are still a part of it right now and that is more than I could say a year ago,” said Elliott. “I have learned a lot and I have learned that I don’t want to miss out on those opportunities moving forward. I am obviously going to try to do everything that I can if you ever have the chances down the road.”
Keselowski has been overshadowed by teammate Blaney this season, while Elliott has been the best of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers and has easily outperformed teammate Johnson through these playoffs. Even Harvick has had a very quiet season.
Friday’s Games Saturday’s games
Senators 4, Avalanche 3: Mike Hoffman scored two goals to help Ottawa beat Colorado and sweep their two regularseason games in Sweden.
(At) Rangers 4, Oilers 2: New York used two secondperiod power-play goals for its season-high sixth straight win, and Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves.
Wild 1, (at) Flyers 0: Jason Zucker scored his sixth goal in three games and Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves for his second straight shutout.
(At) Devils 2, Panthers 1: Cory Schneider made 32 saves, and Damon Severson and Kyle Palmieri scored for New Jersey, which had dropped four in a row.
Blackhawks 4, (at) Hurricanes 3 (OT): Brandon Saad scored at 1:44 of overtime, Alex DeBrincat scored twice, and Anton Forsberg had 35 saves.
Blue Jackets 2, (at) Red Wings 1 (SO): Jack Johnson scored in the ninth round of the shootout. Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves, as did Detroit’s Jimmy Howard.
Maple Leafs 4, at Bruins 1: Mitchell Marner and James van Riemsdyk each had a goal and an assist, and Curtis McElhinney stopped 38 shots as Toronto won its fourth straight.
(At) Canadiens 2, Sabres 1: Max Pacioretty scored at 3:08 of overtime, and Charlie Lindgren made 34 saves.
Islanders 5, (at) Blues 2: New York scored three in the first period, and Thomas Greiss finished with 35 saves.
(At) Predators 5, Penguins 4 (SO): Filip Forsberg scored the shootout winner, and Kyle Turris had a goal and an assist in his Nashville debut after arriving from Ottawa in a threeway trade earlier in the week.
Jets at Coyotes: Late
Canucks at Sharks: Late