XFINITY Playoffs Round of 8 spots up for grabs at Charlotte

Brad Norman

9 years ago

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

It's now or never for the 12 NASCAR XFINITY Series playoff drivers hoping to secure a coveted spot in the Round of 8. All eight spots are up for grabs after first-round races at Chicago and Dover -- it all comes down to Saturday's Drive for the Cure 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Once the checkered flag flies, the Round of 8 field will be set. MORE: Full on-track schedule for Charlotte | XFINITY Playoff standings Only two points separate Ryan Reed, driver of the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, who enters the race in eighth place in the playoff standings and Brendan Gaughan, driver of the No. 62 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, who is just below the cutoff line -- and only 12 points separate 8th place and 11th place. Justin Allgaier is all but a lock, needing only 3 points to advance; but a win gives any of the 12 contenders a ticket to the next round. "...This is as tight as it can get," Reed said, just hours before the first practice session. "The entire season is on the line, coming down to one race. It makes for a lot of exciting (moments) and a lot of drama. I would rather not be the that's one in the position, I would rather be watching from afar. ... We just got to go out there and do a really good job all weekend. Execute."

Below are the clinch scenarios for tomorrow’s NASCAR XFINITY Series playoff cut-off race; the win totals refer to wins in the Round of 12:

Justin Allgaier (0 Wins, 2107 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 3 Points.
William Byron (0 Wins, 2104 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 7 Points.
Elliott Sadler (0 Wins, 2094 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 17 Points.
Cole Custer (0 Wins, 2093 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 18 Points.
Daniel Hemric (0 Wins, 2090 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 21 Points.
Brennan Poole (0 Wins, 2082 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 28 Points.
Matt Tifft (0 Wins, 2067 Points) - Would clinch by scoring 44 Points.

Ryan Reed, Brendan Gaughan, Michael Annett, Blake Koch and Jeremy Clements can only guarantee a clinched spot in the Round of 8 with a win.