TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Joey Logano grabbed a critical win to give Team Penske one car in the next round of NASCAR’s playoffs. Denny Hamlin edged Austin Dillon for the final spot in the field on a tiebreaker Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.
Logano wasn’t in a must-win situation, but the victory gave him a guaranteed slot on a day when the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field was cut from 12 to eight drivers.
Engine troubles for Martin Truex Jr. and Penske driver Brad Keselowski counted for two of the eliminations, and the race came down to a late battle for the final transfer spot between Hamlin and Dillon.
Hamlin finished third and Dillon was ninth. They ended the round tied in points, but the eighth and final slot went to Hamlin on a tiebreaker.
Also eliminated Sunday was Chase Elliott. Advancing are: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Logano and Hamlin.
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