The Eliminator Round of the NASCAR Race for the Chase series started at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday with the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. The three races of the Eliminator Round will take the field down to four drivers that will compete in the Chamionship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22. As with the other rounds, a win by a driver that is still in the Chase automatically qualifies for the nest round.
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This week, Jeff Gordon was the one who earned the automatic spot. It was Gordon’s first win of the season and 93rd in his career. The victory assured him a shot at winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup in his final year. He announced earlier this season that he would be retiring at the end of the year.
There was an ugly incident on Lap 454, when Matt Kenseth appeared to take revenge out on Joey Logano. Two weeks ago, at Kansas Speedway, Logano bumped Kenseth to take the lead, sending Kenseth spinning and effectively knocking him out of the Chase. Sunday, Kenseth took out Logano. The biggest difference between the two incidents was that in Kansas, the two drivers were racing for the win. On Sunday, Kenseth was already several laps behind due to an unrelated wreck. Logano, who had led 207 laps, had to settle for a 37th place finish.
On to the Championship Round
Jeff Gordon and the 24 car will have one last shot at a Sprint Cup Championship after his first place finish at the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500.
Leaders of the Eliminator Round
Kyle Busch had a tough time in the 18 car in Martinsville, spinning on Lap 170, but he managed to climb back into a fifth place finish. He is second in the standings, eight points behind Gordon.
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Martin Truex Jr. finished in sixth place in the 78 car at Martinsville, which has him tied with Kyle Busch in the standings, eight points behind Gordon.
On the Bubble
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Kevin Harvick, who barely squeaked into the Eliminator Round, had the 4 car running at the front of the field. He led 38 laps and ended up finishing in eighth place. That finish has him in the fourth and final spot in the standings, 10 points behind Gordon.
Outside Looking In
Carl Edwards and the 19 car finished in 14th at Martinsville, dropping him to fifth in the standings. He is 17 points behind Gordon and seven points out of fourth place.
In Trouble
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Brad Keselowski had the 2 car in the lead for 143 laps, but he was caught up in a wreck on Lap 434 and finished 32nd. He is in sixth place in standings, 34 points behind Gordon and 24 points out of the fourth spot.
Kurt Busch was also caught up in the wreck on Lap 434, causing the 2 car to finish in 34th place. He is currently seventh in the standings, 36 points behind Gordon and 26 points out of the fourth spot.
Joey Logano had the 22 car up front for most of the day, leading 207 laps. However, Kenseth got his payback on Lap 454 and the winner of all three Contender Round races ended up finishing in 37th place. He is now in eighth place in the standings, 38 points behind Gordon and 28 points out of fourth place.
What’s Next?
The second race of the Eliminator Round is the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8. If a Chase driver wins this race, he will move on to the Championship Round.
