Time is running out for drivers to make the post-season as NASCAR heads to Kentucky Speedway this weekend for the Quaker State 400.
To this point in a season unlike any other in NASCAR Cup Series history, half of the spots in the 16 driver NASCAR Playoff grid have been clinched. There are eight drivers locked in the post-season having won at least one race during the regular season. That leaves eight more spots open to be claimed.
The best way to claim one of those remaining spots is to win one of the final ten races in the regular season. That would lock the race winner in the playoffs like the previous eight winners this season. The other way to get in the post-season is to claim a spot by point total.
If there are not 16 different drivers with at least one win during the regular season, any remaining spot(s) will be filled by the driver(s) with the highest point total(s). Since there are only eight remain spots not filled by race winners and ten races remaining, it is possible that only race winners will make the playoffs. Although that is unlikely.
The next shot to make the playoffs will be this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. This would be a challenge for drivers and teams in a normal season, This season has been anything but normal. That just makes the challenge even more difficult. Below is a look at what the drivers and teams will be facing at the track and in this race.
Kentucky Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 8 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,662 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,600 feet
Quaker State 400 Data
Season Race #: 17 of 36 (07-12-20)
Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 107 laps
There have only been nine NASCAR Cup Series races to date at the Kentucky Speedway. That is part of what makes racing there so challenging. There is not a lot of historical data for teams to rely on when setting up the cars. Which active drivers have done well at the track.
Top 10 Kentucky Active Driver Ratings
Kyle Busch …………………………… 125.5
Brad Keselowski ……………………. 105.5
Martin Truex Jr ……………………… 102.6
Kevin Harvick ……………………….. 102.4
Matt Kenseth ………………………… 101.7
Erik Jones ………………………………. 98.3
Kurt Busch ……………………………… 93.7
Joey Logano …………………………… 93.7
Jimmie Johnson ……………………… 89.9
Ryan Blaney …………………………… 89.8
Note: Active Driver Ratings compiled from 2011-2019 races (nine total) among active drivers at Kentucky Speedway.
I previously pointed out that there have only been nine races in NASCAR’s top division at Kentucky Speedway. During those nine races there have only been five drivers win. All five of those drivers will take part in this weekend’s race.
Active Drivers with Kentucky Speedway Win(s)
Brad Keselowski – 3 Wins
Kyle Busch – 2 Wins
Martin Truex Jr – 2 Wins
Kurt Busch – 1 Win
Matt Kenseth – 1 Win
Will a previous winner score another win at the track? Will a driver lock themself into the post-season by scoring their first 2020 win? Will a previous 2020 winner claim another win?
We will find out when the green flag waives to start the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway this Sunday, July 12th starting at 3 P.M. central time (4 P.M. eastern time).
By: Buck Stevens
