The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 field is cemented after non-playoff driver Shane van Gisbergen picked up his fifth consecutive road-course victory Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
Joey Logano clinched the final spot in the semifinal round, using fresh tires after a pit stop with 11 laps to go to sneak past Ross Chastain by four points. Tied going into the final corners, Chastain entered the frontstretch chicane at high speed, knocking Denny Hamlin around in a last-ditch attempt to advance. Chastain also spun, reversing to the start/finish line but not in time to advance as Logano picked up multiple spots in the melee.
Chastain had two issues on pit road Sunday afternoon, overshooting pit exit after Stage 1 and speeding during Lap 87 service.
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William Byron, Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin all advanced based on finishing position at the Roval. Byron placed 11th, Briscoe 14th and Hamlin 23rd.
Both Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell clinched Round of 8 spots earlier in Sunday’s 109-lap thriller, Larson advancing after placing second in Stage 1 and Bell advancing after finishing seventh in Stage 2. The drivers scored a combined 14 points and 11 points in the opening two frames, respectively.
A pair of former Cup Series champions already clinched their spots in the semifinal round before Roval weekend. Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney picked up his third win of the season two weeks ago at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports scored a thrilling victory last weekend at Kansas Speedway.
Chastain, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Team Penske’s Austin Cindric were eliminated.
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Below is the list of drivers for the Round of 8, with order based on the reset points.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 field
1. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,036 points)
2. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske (4,034 points)
3. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports (4,032 points)
4. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports (4,032 points)
5. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,028 points)
6. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports (4,018 points)
7. Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing (4,018 points)
8. Joey Logano, Team Penske (4,008 points)
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