RPW Column By: JESSY MILLER / RPW – DARLINGTON, SC – The NASCAR Cup Series 2020 Playoffs season is already off to an exciting start. Even with that, we can’t forget about the Xfinity and Trucks Series.
Fans who tuned into the Xfinity race Saturday night were treated to a wonderful finish from Brandon Jones.
The final laps of the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 were winding down and it seemed the checkered flag would go to either Denny Hamlin in the No. 54 or Ross Chastain in the No. 10. But then Hamlin slid up the track into the wall and Chastain followed as they fought to take control of the race bumping doors.
The leaders lost enough speed that B. Jones in the No. 19 sailed ahead stealing the win in the last minute.
Racing at its finest at @TooToughToTame!!
Here’s how @BrandonJonesRac got the win after @dennyhamlin and @RossChastain banged doors for the final few laps! pic.twitter.com/cs2aXp4XYC
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) September 5, 2020
After the race Jeremey Clements (-45), Myatt Snider (-51), Josh Williams (-84) and Jesse Little (-89) are not currently not qualified for the playoffs due to points.
Meanwhile on Sunday night Kevin Harvick took his eighth win of the season locking him into round two of the Cup Series Playoffs. The final lap of the race, Harvick had to hold off Austin Dillon in the No. 3.
Harvick often has memorable post race celebrations with fans, such as pulling a kid onto the track for a picture in front of his car one time, or the many times he’s put his son Keelan in the front seat for the ride to Victory Lane. This weekend a young Kevin Harvick fan in the stands was able to push the flag through the fence to deliver to the driver.
Racing at its finest at @TooToughToTame!!
Here’s how @BrandonJonesRac got the win after @dennyhamlin and @RossChastain banged doors for the final few laps! pic.twitter.com/cs2aXp4XYC
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) September 5, 2020
Not to mention it was also throwback weekend for NASCAR! Take a look at some of the throwback paint schemes drivers chose to honor past and present legends of the sport:
What a cool feeling to run my dads scheme at one of his favorite places @TooToughToTame wish the finish would’ve been better than 6th but I believe in our team and know we can get back to VL for the 3rd time very soon pic.twitter.com/4NS8x0fx5R
— Harrison Burton (@HBurtonRacing) September 6, 2020
Who’s ready for @darlingtonraceway throwback weekend?! Excited to be taking this @teamtoyota Robert Huffman scheme with lots of history and hoping to bring #teamtoyota another win it! pic.twitter.com/Se9kUN0Mo2
— Brandon Jones (@BrandonJonesRac) September 4, 2020
Thanks @BuschBeer for the nod to my 2001 and 2006 Busch Series Championships to start the 2020 #NASCARPlayoffs this weekend at @TooToughToTame. #TBT pic.twitter.com/5hAFMmPB9z
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) September 3, 2020
.@JimmieJohnson does throwbacks right.
Earnhardt on one side, Petty on the other. @Ally all over. Looking right, champ!
7x7x7x #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/Zffu2LyLz7
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) September 6, 2020
After the Cup race Clint Bowyer (-0), Cole Custer (-3), Matt DiBenedetto (-17) and Ryan Blaney (-17) are all under the cut off line. But we all know that could change in a second. Currently, Harvick is the only driver locked into the round of twelve for the Cup Series.
Who will lock themselves into the playoffs at Richmond Speedway? Find out next weekend, the Xfinity race starts at 7pm EST Friday and the Cup race starts 7:30pm EST Saturday night. Both races are scheduled to be on NBCSN, don’t be late!