Kyle Larson punched his ticket to the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs while other championship hopefuls felt the wrath of the “Monster Mile” of Dover International Speedway Sunday (10/6).

The Drydene 400, the first race in the Round of 12 in the post-season for NASCAR, didn’t have the drama of on-track incidents. There were only three caution periods during the race including the two yellow flags at the end of the first two stages of racing. Denny Hamlin was the winner in stage one and Martin Truex Jr. the winner of stage two.

However, there was still drama for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Sunday, even before the race officially began. Playoff contender Joey Logano went to the garage before the green flag waived with a problem with his axle. He would return to the race, but finish 25 laps down in 34th place.

Another playoff driver, Chase Elliott, would also have an issue with just five laps completed. His engine gave out ending his day and relegating him to a last place finish.

More playoff drivers had pit road mistakes that put their hopes of a good day in serious jeopardy. Some rebounded for a decent day … others not so much.

Most of the race it appeared Denny Hamlin would be the car to beat as he started from the pole and led a race high 218 of the 400 laps in the race. It was Kyle Larson that was strong and got strong all race long. By just before half-way through the race he had shown he was going to be a factor in who would win the race. In the second half of the race Kyle was the car to beat. He led 151 laps of the final 157 in the race including the most important lap … the last one.

The win broke a 75-race streak of no wins for Kyle. This also gave him an automatic advance to the Round of Eight in the NASCAR Playoffs. Kyle becomes the first Chip Ganassi Racing driver to make it to the Round of Eight in the NASCAR Playoffs.

Martin Truex Jr. scored a runner-up finish while Alex Bowman claimed a third place finish. Kevin Harvick finished in fourth place and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Drydene 400 here.

The NASCAR Playoff picture was shuffled quite seriously following the race on the “Monster Mile.” Kyle Larson sits at the top with his win and can relax knowing he has secured his place in the next round (although he is in 5th place based on points alone). Martin Truex Jr. is the leader in the point standings. Denny Hamlin is second, Kyle Busch third and Kevin Harvick holds the fourth spot in points. See the complete Monster Energy NASCAR Point Standings here.

Joey Logano started the race near the top of the NASCAR Playoffs picture and ended it below the cut line. Other drivers now find themselves dangerously close to that line with an uncertain path forward ahead.

This week’s race will bring no comfort to any of the Playoff drivers. The next stop in the Round of 12 is the always dangerous Talladega Superspeedway. The 1000Bulbs.com 500 could destroy the championship dreams of Playoff drivers Sunday, October 13th.

By: Buck Stevens