With 12 of the 23 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection races on the 2024 calendar full, simply 4 races stay earlier than the Truck Collection playoffs begin on the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 25.
Whereas 4 drivers are locked into the postseason by advantage of wins, six playoff spots nonetheless stay open. This is the place the bubble drivers stand because the sequence heads to Nashville on June 28.
8. Ben Rhodes (+36)
Because the defending champion of the Truck Collection, Rhodes had excessive expectations in 2024. How unhealthy did his season begin off, chances are you’ll ask? Wealthy Lushes, the crew chief with whom Rhodes has gained each of his Truck Collection championships, was moved to work with Rhodes’ teammate, Jake Garcia, earlier than Darlington.
Garcia’s former crew chief, Doug Randolph, was introduced over to work with Rhodes. The crew chief change appears to have labored, nevertheless — Rhodes has three top-seven finishes within the 4 races because the swap. Count on the No. 99 staff to comfortably level their manner into the postseason.
9. Tanner Grey (+28)
Grey solely has 4 top-10 finishes thus far in 2024, however has accomplished all however one lap of competitors and has a worst end of twentieth. He is probably not exhibiting race profitable pace like his brother, however thus far, he is been adequate to be within the playoff image.
10. Grant Enfinger (+26)
After making the Championship 4 a yr in the past, expectations have been comparatively low for Enfinger, who left a GMS Racing group that was shutting down. His new staff in CR7 Motorsports has been fast out of the gate, nevertheless, vastly enhancing on their performances in yr prior. Whether or not it is staff enchancment or a driver improve might be debated, however no matter modifications have been made have labored.
11. Stewart Friesen (-26)
If Friesen have been to overlook the Truck Collection playoffs, he’d achieve this for the third time in 5 seasons — not precisely the type of constant mark you need to set. Whereas the No. 52 staff discovered pace because the yr went on in 2023, they’ve backtracked by way of the primary half of 2024, and it could take a win for Friesen to turn out to be playoff sure.
12. Daniel Dye (-37)
Give credit score to Dye for being close to the bubble in his second full-time season, as 2023 noticed him earn only one top-10 end and are available dwelling 18th in factors. His outcomes could pale compared to teammates Christian Eckes and Tyler Ankrum, however for a sophomore driver, he is put forth a decent effort.
13. Matt Crafton (-46)
This may increasingly lastly be Father Time’s manner of ushering Crafton out of the cockpit. The three-time Truck Collection champion has by no means completed worse than fifteenth and factors and hasn’t missed the Truck Collection playoffs since their inception in 2016, but it surely appears like a win may very well be obligatory to ensure that Crafton to chase a fourth title.
The 48-year-old has been in a position to carry out beneath strain up to now, however with only one win to his credit score over the past six and a half season, it looks like a longshot.
14. Chase Purdy (-52)
It simply looks like Purdy and crew chief Jason Trinchere didn’t shift into fourth gear when the season began. Kyle Busch gained two races as Purdy’s teammate, and even with quite a lot of drivers behind the wheel, the No. 7 truck for Spire has eight top-10 finishes to Purdy’s three.
Purdy’s pace has improved over the past three weeks, with three finishes of thirteenth or higher over the past 4 races, however like Crafton, an underdog win is Purdy’s finest probability at snagging a playoff berth.
