Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Open At Chicagoland Speedway; A win in the Playoffs automatically advances a driver to the next round and adds five points to his playoff points total. A stage win earns one playoff point to be added in the following round. Past champions in the field include: Jimmie Johnson (2016, 2013, 2006-10), Kyle Busch (2015), Kevin Harvick (2014), Brad Keselowski (2012), Kurt Busch (2004) and Matt Kenseth (2003). Ryan Blaney and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are taking part in their first Playoffs. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series leader Martin Truex Jr. will try for his second straight win at Chicagoland Speedway in Sunday’s Tales of the Turtles 400. The Furniture Row Racing driver led 32 laps on his way to the victory in 2016. Prior to last season, he never finished better than ninth at the 1.5-mile track. Don’t bet against Brad Keselowski at Chicagoland Speedway. In eight starts at the Illinois track, he has two wins, four top fives, six top 10s and a 9.6 average finish. His two victories are tied with Kevin Harvick’s total for tops among active drivers. Kyle Larson speeds in to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the circuit’s latest winner. He notched his series lead-tying fourth win at Richmond last Saturday night – his first career victory at a track shorter than two miles.(NASCAR)[Read Full Notes Here]
