Overview

• Elliott begins the postseason as the seventh seed with one win at Atlanta and 2013 points, with the Round of 16 opening at Darlington’s Southern 500 and four drivers cut after each three-race segment.
• On The BobbyCast, he suggested a tougher posture for the playoffs, saying a "heel" turn could be coming and that "somebody might be getting the bird this weekend."
• Fans urged him to be more aggressive after Daytona, contending that late-race decisiveness will be needed to secure wins and protect playoff points.
• Kyle Larson cited shorter, flatter tracks like Gateway and New Hampshire as areas of concern, while crew chief Alan Gustafson said Hendrick has worked to improve its flat-track program and Larson pointed to gains at Iowa and Richmond.
• Analysts highlight Elliott’s consistency, noting his 12.0 average finish led the series, as some commentary questions a win-centric playoff format as a contrived entertainment device.