Dale Earnhardt Jr. labels which drivers will struggle to make it to the next playoff qualification round

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on which drivers will struggle to advance in the Round of 12. On his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. said drivers like Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Briscoe could have a difficult race in a bid to keep their playoff hopes alive at Bristol.

Earnhardt Jr. is a former NASCAR driver who amassed 26 wins in his Cup Series career, including the 2004 and 2014 Daytona 500. After retiring from his full-time Cup seat in 2017, the 49-year-old American became a broadcaster and a regular host on his podcast.

According to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Harrison Burton and Martin Truex Jr. would likely make an exit from playoff contention at the upcoming night race.

“Harrison Burton will have a hard time going in and making up 20 points. Honestly, don’t think Truex gets it done […] -14, that’s a bit of a tall order,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The North Carolina native believes Chase Briscoe, who is +6 above the cut line in 11th, will get leapfrogged by the 13th-seeded Denny Hamlin, saying:

“I believe Chase Briscoe will struggle to not get kicked out by a Denny Hamlin. Can a Denny go in there and make up the six points on Chase Briscoe? Yes.”

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski would have a close fight for a spot in the Round of 12, he picked the latter driver to advance.

“And then, I think it’s a bit of a toss up between the Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski. I don’t think Brad beats Denny but Brad could outpoint Ty Gibbs. Ty’s [going to] have to struggle. It’ll be important that Ty does not do well in stage one and two to give Brad that shot,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The former NASCAR driver responded to his co-host’s prediction that drivers who struggled from tire degradation like Tyler Reddick could have a difficult race at Bristol.

“I just think they have enough points that they’re safe,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. replied.

The four drivers currently below the playoff cut line are Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Chase Briscoe, respectively.

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NASCAR Playoff drivers struggled to score good points at Watkins Glen

The Watkins Glen stop witnessed playoff drivers struggling to finish at the front of the field. Chase Briscoe was ahead of the playoff drivers in 6th, which allowed him to jump from 16th to 11th in the playoff standings. Next to him was Austin Cindric, who finished P10 on the road course.

Completing the top five finishers in the playoff grid are Kyle Larson in P12, Daniel Suarez in P13, and Christopher Bell in P14. Joey Logano finished in P15, but he already qualified for the Round of 12 following a win at the postseason opener in Atlanta.

Ryan Blaney, who entered the race as the leader in the playoff standings, left with a single point after retiring due to damage from a multi-car crash on the first lap. Denny Hamlin was also involved in the wreck, affecting his race and ultimately finishing in P23.

Non-playoff contender Chris Buescher won the Go Bowling at The Glen - Source: Imagn

The final race of the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway will happen on September 21.