Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Sixteen drivers qualified for the 10-race playoffs and four will be eliminated after the third race at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend. The four bubble drivers heading into Richmond:
Jimmie Johnson: The seven-time champion sits 13th, six points below the cutline after finishing 22nd in the playoff opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson had been in position to contend for a top-five result, but his No. 48 Chevrolet had heavy damage in a multicar crash on lap 257 that involved playoff drivers Clint Bowyer, Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch.
Chase Elliott: He’s 14th, nine points below the cutline. Elliott finished 36th in Las Vegas after he collided with Jamie McMurray, who spun directly in front of him on lap 212.
Erik Jones: The Las Vegas pole-sitter had a rough opener after plowing into Kevin Harvick on lap 148 when Harvick blew a tire. With his 40th-place finish, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver stands 15th, 19 points below the cutline.
Denny Hamlin: He hits Richmond in the most precarious position — 16th, 20 points below the cutline. He was 32nd at Las Vegas after spinning on lap 247.
Playoff standings
1. Martin Truex Jr. ............................. 2,087
2. Kyle Busch ...................................... 2,085
3. Brad Keselowski ............................ 2,069
4. Kevin Harvick ................................. 2,060
5. Joey Logano .................................. 2,056
6. Kurt Busch ...................................... 2,046
7. Ryan Blaney ................................... 2,042
8. Kyle Larson ..................................... 2,041
9. Aric Almirola .................................. 2,034
10. Austin Dillon ................................. 2,031
11. Clint Bowyer ................................. 2,029
12. Alex Bowman ............................... 2,028
13. Jimmie Johnson .......................... 2,022
14. Chase Elliott ................................. 2,019
15. Erik Jones ..................................... 2,009
16. Denny Hamlin .............................. 2,008