Is There a Playoff Favorite? That Depends on Whom You Ask

Martin Truex Jr. speaks to the media as one of the 16 drivers eligible to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship during the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs Production & Media Day at NASCAR Hall of Fame on September 13, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Regular-season champion Martin Truex Jr. says it’s hard to pick a favorite in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff.

Kyle Busch disagrees. Continue reading

Harvick: Playoff Points Likely to Gain Importance in Later Rounds

Kevin Harvick, the driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

No one knows precisely how the current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff format will unfold this season. Continue reading

Jimmie Johnson Counting on Autumn Turnaround–Again

Jimmie Johnson speaks to the media as one of the 16 drivers eligible to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship during the 2017 NASCAR Playoffs Production & Media Day at NASCAR Hall of Fame on September 13, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina Photo – Street Lecka/Getty Images

Is Jimmie Johnson worth a bet?

Can the seven-time champion win a record eighth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship, and prove the experts wrong? Continue reading

Martin Truex Jr. Crossed Up by Late Caution at Richmond

Martin Truex Jr., the driver of the #78 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota, talks to the media after the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr. cradled the trophy he earned as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion, but his mind was elsewhere. Continue reading

Erik Jones Misses Chance to Steal a Win on Final Restart

Erik Jones, driver of the #77 SiriusXM Toyota, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The late caution that proved costly to Martin Truex Jr. could have been a boon to Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Erik Jones, whose only path to the playoff was a victory at Richmond. Continue reading