Top Cup Series Playoff finishes in elimination era

In the elimination era of the Cup Series Playoffs, there have been incredible finishes for drivers who either kept their chances of winning a title alive or sparked a championship run. 

Scroll through to reminisce over some of the top playoff finishes since 2014. 

2014 Phoenix Raceway: Kevin Harvick locks in

Entering the Round of 8 finale, Harvick was eighth in the standings and 18 points back. He was on the verge of being eliminated and needed a win. At Phoenix, Harvick stepped up in the clutch. The No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing driver led 264 laps and earned his way to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he won his lone Cup title. 

2015 Kansas Speedway: Joey Logano steals one 

It looked like Matt Kenseth would walk away with a win and move on to the Round of 8. However, Joey Logano was looking to take the lead with five laps to go. Trying to block Logano from earning back-to-back wins, Kenseth spun and hit the wall, finishing 14th at Kansas. 

2015 Martinsville Speedway: Jeff Gordon's last strike

Looking for a storybook ending in his final full-time season, Gordon led on the final restart from Jamie McMurray with two laps to go. The No. 24 wasn't fazed when McMurray pulled up next to him coming to the white flag; Gordon pulled away on the bell lap to earn his 93rd career win, locking a spot in Championship 4, leading to an enthusiastic, "We're going to Homestead!" in Victory Lane. 

2018 Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course: Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. collide 

Truex was leading Johnson in the final laps in the inaugural race at the Charlotte road course. The seven-time champ was projected to transfer into the Round of 12, even with a runner-up finish. However, not wanting to chance it, Johnson was targeting a win. Johnson's No. 48 Chevy dove inside Truex's No. 78 Toyota entering the final chicane and locked his brakes, sliding sideways and collecting Truex. Ryan Blaney escaped through the chaos with the win, eliminating Johnson from the postseason. 

2018 Martinsville Speedway: The battle of Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.

Logano was dominant all day at Martinsville. Truex was applying pressure on Logano, and after the final round of pit stops, a hot battle for the Championship 4 spot ignited. At the white flag, the two were side-by-side with Truex on the inside looking for a run to clear the No. 22 Ford. The No. 78 Toyota passed Logano, leaving only two corners left for the Team Penske driver to catch up. Logano gave Truex a hard push off of Turn 4, causing Truex to turn and slide sideways to the finish line, allowing Logano to escape with a win. Post-race, Truex was fired up and made his own declaration: "He ain't winning the damn war."

2019 Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course: Chase Elliott drives back to win

Early in the final stage, a dramatic turn of events saw Elliott lock up his brakes and plow straight into the Turn 1 tire barrier, dropping to 37th. Undeterred, the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports driver skillfully navigated his way through the field, passing Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick on the final restart to seize the lead on Lap 104. Elliott then powered to the win by 3.016 seconds, securing his place in the Round of 12. 

2019 Talladega Superspeedway: Ryan Blaney by a nose

Blaney got a great restart with three laps to go, holding on strong outfront. On the final lap, Ryan Newman got a massive push from Denny Hamlin that slingshotted him to lead as they entered the final corner. With cars wrecking behind them, Blaney dove inside to make it a photo finish at Talladega -- winning by 0.007 seconds over Newman. 

2022 Martinsville Speedway: Christopher Bell comes up clutch, Ross Chastain's wild ride

Bell was 52 points down in the playoff standings entering Martinsville and delivered a clutch performance in the penultimate race of the season. Bell took the lead on Lap 496 to lock his first Championship 4 berth and earn Joe Gibbs Racing its 200th win. But that wasn't all: Ross Chastain's Championship 4 hopes were all but over until he rode the wall flat out -- a move now known as the "Hail Melon" -- to pass Denny Hamlin at the finish and also lock his Champ 4 spot.