5 most dramatic NASCAR Playoffs moments of the past decade ft. Chase Elliott's career first Championship

It has been ten years since NASCAR began its elimination style playoffs system. This rule has added much excitement and drama to the stock car racing sport. While there have been many memorable events over the course of the NASCAR playoffs, here are the top five intense and unpredictable moments of the past decade.

Kevin Harvick’s clutch performance at Dover

Kevin Harvick needed a win to avoid elimination at Dover Motor Speedway in 2015. He dominated the AAA 400, leading 355 of 400 laps, and earned his third win for the year. He had never won at Dover before.

Harvick's win was similar to his 2014 Phoenix performance, where he also had to win to progress. He got his spot in the Round of 12 and lived up to his nickname, "The Closer."

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Chase Elliott reaches first Championship Four in Martinsville

In the 2020 Martinsville race, Chase Elliott dominated proceedings by leading 236 of 500 laps. A crucial moment came when his jackman, TJ Semke, quickly fixed a wall jump penalty which allowed Elliott to continue leading. Elliott won the race and the win secured his spot in the Championship 4. He later went on to win the championship in Phoenix.

Denny Hamlin vs. Joey Logano in Martinsville

At the Martinsville Speedway in 2019, an incident occurred where Denny Hamlin's car pushed Joey Logano into a spin.

After the race, the two drivers exchanged heated words. The talk began calmly, but ended with Logano shoving Hamlin. The crews had to intervene to prevent further escalation. Hamlin was upset by the shove and felt that Logano was trying to provoke him. Logano later said he was frustrated and shouldn’t have shoved Hamlin.

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Jeff Gordon vs. Brad Keselowski in Texas

In a dramatic race at Texas Motor Speedway, a confrontation on the pit road turned into a brawl in 2014.

Jeff Gordon was leading when Brad Keselowski tried to pass him. They collided and Gordon spun out with a flat tire, finishing 29th. This moved him from first to fourth in the standings. Keselowski finished third and improved his NASCAR playoff chances. After the race, Gordon confronted Keselowski which led to a fight involving Kevin Harvick. Both drivers ended up bloodied.

NASCAR's first wall ride by Ross Chastain at Martinsville

At the top of the most dramatic moments in NASCAR's playoff history is the 2022 last-ditch effort by Ross Chastain to land a spot in the Championship 4.

At Martinsville Speedway, Chastain floored his car against the wall, passing multiple drivers in a move dubbed the 'Hail Melon.' This video-game-like move shocked fans and sent him past Denny Hamlin to the final spot.

The act was later banned by NASCAR at all tracks.