Verizon 200 at the Brickyard: Drivers that can clinch playoff spots on points at Indy
This weekend, the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is going to give two drivers a chance to clinch their playoff spots on points alone. Both Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski will have an opportunity to earn enough points to get themselves into the NASCAR postseason.
Neither veteran has a win this season and are hoping that changes at some point in 2023. At times, the two Ford drivers have had speed, but for one reason or another haven’t been able to get the job done. With it being the Indy Road Course, that will be a hard task.
If either Harvick or Keselowski want to clinch a playoff spot at the Verizon 200, they will have to run up front most of the day. Harvick needs 44 points to clinch. Meanwhile, Keselowski will need 54 points in total. 60 points is the most a driver can earn in a single race.
Of course, all of that changes if one of these two drivers wins. Then points don’t matter.
Looking at their previous history on this configuration, it isn’t likely going to happen this weekend. Kevin Harvick finished P14 in 2021 and P33 in 2022 on this track. Keselowski on the other hand, finished P24 and P20 in those races.
What makes a win or a big points day even more difficult is the talent level in the Verizon 200 field. Shane van Gisbergen returns, Brodie Kostecki from Supercars, Kamui Kobayashi from FIA WEC, Jenson Button from F1, and Mike Rockenfeller also from WEC.
Will we see a surprise winner at Verizon 200?
The question everyone asks this time of the year is, will we see a surprise winner? Last year, Austin Dillon was the surprise, winning at Daytona after that wild wreck due to rain on the back half of the track. So, are we going to see something similar in these last three weeks of the regular season?
As it stands, Bubba Wallace is 58 points above the cutline. He leads Ty Gibbs by 55 points. Gibbs is just 3 points above the cutline, but is a solid road course racer. However, the drivers he’s competing against for the bubble spot are as well. Michael McDowell, Daniel Suárez, AJ Allmendinger, and even Chase Elliott are all strong on the road.
The worst-case scenario for these bubble drivers would be an Elliott win, an Austin Cindric victory, or even AJ Allmendinger getting another W at Indy. Those drivers are outside of the top-16 right now, and arguably would need a win to make the postseason.
The Verizon 200 is going to be interesting. If one of these road course aces takes the win, the playoff drivers will be thanking them afterward for sure.