The defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano and Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott faced tough challenges in the recent NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 19. Logano finished 16th, while Elliott was unable to finish (DNF) in what turned out to be a chaotic race.

Both drivers now face high stakes as they head into the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville, where they will try to secure their spots in the Championship 4 race. Although neither driver has yet confirmed a Championship 4 berth, Elliott finds himself in a must-win situation at Martinsville following the wreck at Talladega. Depending on how the upcoming race unfolds, both Logano and Elliott could potentially be eliminated from Championship 4 contention.

After his win in Kansas, Elliott advanced to the Round of 8 with momentum, but his run came to an early end at Talladega due to the crash. As a result, he enters the final race before the Championship 4 trailing by 62 points, making victory essential for his chances. The Hendrick Motorsports driver will need to push hard at Martinsville, a track that suits his driving style, to keep his title hopes alive.

On the other hand, Joey Logano remains a strong contender. The #22 Penske driver sits 38 points below the cut line in the standings and can secure his Championship 4 spot based purely on points. His key objective at Martinsville is to race clean and avoid any last-minute incidents or wrecks that could derail his playoff run.

Other drivers such as Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson are also in contention for the remaining Championship 4 spots. Ahead of Martinsville, the points situation among key playoff contenders is as follows:

– Briscoe: Must win
– Hamlin: Must win
– Christopher Bell: +37 points
– Kyle Larson: +36 points
– William Byron: -36 points
– Joey Logano: -38 points
– Ryan Blaney: -47 points
– Chase Elliott: Must win

Elliott’s path is clear—he needs to win at Martinsville or at least finish in the top 5. However, his final standing will also depend on how other playoff drivers ahead of him perform and whether they encounter issues during the race.

Recent victories by Denny Hamlin at Las Vegas and Chase Briscoe at Talladega have already punched their tickets to the Championship 4, leaving only two spots open with six drivers vying for them. Christopher Bell currently enjoys a 37-point cushion, and Kyle Larson holds a 36-point advantage over the cutline as they approach Martinsville.

**How Have Joey Logano and Chase Elliott Performed in the Round of 8 So Far?**

Joey Logano has delivered a respectable performance in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8. He finished 6th at Las Vegas and 16th at Talladega, placing him sixth in the Cup Series points standings—38 points below the elimination threshold.

In contrast, Chase Elliott has faced more hurdles. Elliott’s Las Vegas performance was disappointing, finishing 18th, and the subsequent wreck at Talladega further hindered his playoff push. Currently, he sits eighth in the points, 62 points shy of the cutline.

At 29 years old and hailing from Dawsonville, Georgia, Elliott is known for his skill on short tracks, making Martinsville an important venue for him to mount a comeback.

As Martinsville’s short track racing looms, all eyes will be on the playoff drivers to see who can seize the opportunity and secure their place in the Championship 4. The intensity of this elimination race promises to deliver exciting and high-stakes NASCAR action.
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