Cup Series Star Johnson's Playoff Streak In Jeopardy

BRISTOL, Tenn. — For the first time in the history of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Jimmie Johnson may be sitting on the outside looking in. Johnson, the only driver who has made NASCAR’s postseason every year since it was implemented in 2004, was one of four drivers who entered Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on the bubble of making the 16-team field. He left the track 26 points out of the 16th spot and most likely in need of a win either at Darlington two weeks from now — after an off date next weekend — or at the final regular-season race at Indianapolis in three weeks to make the playoffs. Three other drivers on the bubble — Ryan Newman, Daniel Suarez and Clint Bowyer — left the track still in a tight battle for the final two spots in the postseason race for the series championship. Bowyer battled back from a mid-race spin, one that helped Suarez and Newman earn key points, to finish seventh.