Winners and losers from 2023 NASCAR Playoffs race at Homestead-Miami Speedway

The second event in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 this season has set a precedent for many teams and drivers who wish to challenge further for the championship this year.

With Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell rising to the occasion again under pressure-filled circumstances, the #20 team has performed in a fashion reminiscent of 'The Closer' Kevin Harvick.

Looking back at what was a race that saw drivers run the absolute highest line possible at the 1.5-mile-long Homestead-Miami Speedway, chaos was never too far as several drivers found out. The 4EVER 400 sponsored by Mobil 1 also paid homage to Harvick, who is in the twilight of his career and will be relegated to the sidelines after two races' time.

The Stewart-Haas Racing driver won his NASCAR Cup Series championship at the very track the sport raced on last weekend, all the way back in 2014.

With stock car racing going head to head with last Sunday's F1 US Grand Prix as well, it turns out that TV Ratings swung in favor of some bumping and grinding action in Miami, Florida rather than smooth, precise racing in Austin, Texas.

With two out of four spots in the final round of postseason set after last weekend, here is a look at who would have left Homestead content, and who was left wanting for more.

Winners from the NASCAR Playoffs race at Homestead

Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell managed to once again clinch a spot in the championship 4 after being put under immense pressure and performing under do-or-die scenarios in NASCAR. The #20 Toyota Camry TRD driver fought from a dismal-handling car in the second stage to clinch victory come the final laps of the race.

Ryan Blaney

Despite Kyle Larson grazing the back of the #12 Ford Mustang driver's car on the entry to pit road, the Team Penske driver managed to finish in P2 in Florida. Entering the weekend below the cutline by 17 points, Blaney now sits 10 points above going into Martinsville Speedway this weekend.

William Byron

William Byron managed to keep his playoff hopes alive despite having an under-the-radar race in Florida. The Hendrick Motorsports driver sits 30 points above the cutline owing to his victories during the regular season. He started seventh last Sunday and ended up in P4.

Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace managed to bring home yet another top-10 finish this season as the 23XI Racing driver finished in P6. Wallace elaborated on how frustrating it was to finish in P6, highlighting the team's overall progress this season.

Losers from the NASCAR Playoffs race at Homestead

Denny Hamlin

While teammate Christopher Bell managed to seal his spot in the final 4 round, Denny Hamlin suffered a scruffy race that ended in tears at Homestead. The #11 Toyota Camry TRD driver finished in P30 after a mechanical failure on the steering system of his Toyota, which sent him into the wall during the race. Hamlin now sits 17 points below the cutline for the final four spots.

Martin Truex Jr.

Another Joe Gibbs Racing driver who had a rather forgettable day was the #19 of Martin Truex Jr. who suffered engine failure during the final stages of the race. He finished in P29 and also has a 17-point deficit to the next round heading into Martinsville.

Kyle Larson

Leading the race at one point, Hendrick Motorsports' Kyle Larson was seen binning his #5 Chevrolet on the way to the pits during the race as the Elk grove, California native tried to "dominate" the weekend. Larson already has his seat fixed in the NASCAR championship finale at Phoenix.