Ten most Disappointing playoffs eliminations in NASCAR History

10. Denny Hamlin – 2023 Martinsville

Hamlin had one of the fastest cars all season, with multiple wins and top-five consistency. But at Martinsville, a late-race caution and poor pit strategy doomed his title hopes yet again. Despite leading laps, he was eliminated by just a few points — adding to his painful reputation as NASCAR’s “best driver without a championship.”

9. Kyle Larson – 2022 Round of 12

The defending champion entered the playoffs strong, but an untimely crash and pit mistakes cost him dearly. He missed the Round of 8 by just two points — a shocking early exit for the reigning champ and the powerhouse Hendrick No. 5 team.

8. Martin Truex Jr. – 2021 Phoenix Finale

Truex was a few laps away from his second championship. A late caution and pit cycle flipped the order, allowing Kyle Larson’s pit crew to deliver a clutch stop that sealed the title. Truex’s car was good enough to win, but luck simply didn’t fall his way.

7. Kevin Harvick – 2020 Round of 8

Harvick won nine races in 2020 — one of the most dominant regular seasons in recent memory. Yet a crash at Martinsville and contact with Kyle Busch ended his run before the Championship 4. Missing the finale after that kind of dominance was almost unthinkable.

6. Chase Elliott – 2022 Round of 8

After leading the regular-season points and looking like the clear title favorite, Elliott struggled in the playoffs. Poor finishes and contact at Martinsville killed his momentum. For a driver who looked untouchable midseason, his elimination was a major letdown.

5. Brad Keselowski – 2014 Homestead

In NASCAR’s first year of the elimination-style playoffs, Keselowski had a championship-caliber season but was taken out early after clashes with Gordon and Kenseth. He never made it to the Championship 4 — a bitter pill after being among the year’s most consistent contenders.

4. Jeff Gordon – 2015 Martinsville

Gordon’s final full-time season was magical — and he made the Championship 4 — but the heartbreak came for teammate Joey Logano, who was wrecked intentionally by Matt Kenseth at Martinsville, eliminating him. Gordon benefited that day, but the elimination of Logano — who had dominated the playoffs — was one of the most shocking moments ever.

3. Ryan Blaney – 2021 Round of 8

Blaney looked poised for a title shot, running consistently in the top 5 all playoffs. But back-to-back poor finishes at Kansas and Martinsville, plus late chaos, sent him packing. He went from solid contender to surprise elimination — a major gut punch for Team Penske.

2. Kyle Busch – 2022 Round of 16

A two-time champion eliminated in the first round? Unthinkable. Mechanical failures at Darlington and Bristol doomed Busch’s season, marking his earliest-ever playoff exit. It was the end of an era with Joe Gibbs Racing — and one of the most stunning collapses in modern playoff history.

1. Kevin Harvick – 2020 Martinsville (The Nine-Win Season)

Yes, this deserves its own top spot. Harvick’s 2020 elimination remains the benchmark for playoff heartbreak. Despite nine wins, the new format didn’t protect dominance — one bad round, one spin at Martinsville, and a desperate move to wreck Kyle Busch at the line weren’t enough. Missing the title fight after one of the best statistical seasons ever? That’s as disappointing as it gets.