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@nascarcasm recaps the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 16
By @nascarcasm | Published: September 23, 2020 14
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Twleve advanced. Four were eliminated. Harvick dominated. Kyle Busch was mad. A look back at the Round of 16 of the NASCAR playoffs in glorious color photos.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson rolled into throwback weekend at Darlington as a seven-time champion Voltron. The hat of Richard Petty. The sunglasses of Dale Earnhardt. The fire suit of Jimmie Johnson. Between the three of them, they have 21 championships, and one southernmost tunnel.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Kyle Busch was sometimes brutally realistic about his chances of advancing past the first round. It’s why he spent the entire pre-race posing as the shrug emoji.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Behind the mask he’s laughing about how badly he’s gonna bust all your playoff grids.
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Chris Keane | Getty Images
That point during the race at Darlington where Martin Truex Jr. fans had to do this to prevent hearing what the Chase Elliott fans were saying about him.
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Chris Keane | Getty Images
Kevin Harvick was able to capitalize on the Truex/Elliott incident and win Darlington. It’s about time he had some good fortune.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Well, Kevin Harvick won. Based on the 2020 season pattern, that means this guy was due to win within the next two races. OH BUT WAIT.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Before each race, Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers discuss their strategy, including whether they’re feeling charitable and are going to let someone else win.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
You can’t spell “KESELOWSKI” without a “W.” And, like, 28 other letters.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
A limited number of fans were permitted in the stands at Bristol. As he was introduced, and a quieter but still significant chorus of boos rained down, he thought to myself “Things are finally returning to normal.”
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
I mean if Kyle Busch hates lapped traffic so much, he shouldn’t work his way from the back of the field to the front so quickly.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
William Byron’s championship hopes were dashed after contact with Joey Gase caused terminal damage to the No. 24 car. So basically if you’re named Joey and you drive a Cup car, you really don’t care about how many Christmas cards you’re going to receive.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
For fans of Ryan Blaney, the first round of the playoffs was almost as cruel as the requirement that this face remain partially covered.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Sometimes drivers hold up as many fingers as they do wins. Two more and Harvick will start having to remove a shoe. Nice problem to have.