AVONDALE, Ariz. _ There was always going to be one delighted driver and four jealous ones when Sunday's playoff cutdown race finished, but now we know who falls into which category.
First, the singularly happy one: Brad Keselowski. The Team Penske driver came into Sunday's Can-Am 500 race at Phoenix International Speedway leading the remaining NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers in points, and that proved to be enough to get him through to Homestead even without a win. That went to Matt Kenseth, who won another race before he stops driving at the end of this season. Keselowski finished 16th, and while Chase Elliott finished second, Keselowski's points advantage proved enough.
Then there's the four less-enthused drivers, the ones who missed the cut Sunday and were eliminated from championship contention: Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, Keselowski, and Elliott. Johnson's day ended early thanks to a blown tire just before the end of Stage 2. Hamlin also saw his day end early due to a blown tire, which was more unexpected since he led for the majority of the race.
So the championship four is finally set now _ Keselowski joins Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick _ and now we have to wait just one more week to have our next NASCAR Cup Series champion.
