NASCAR Speed Freaks: Martin Truex sends an SOS, Chase Elliott sends a (non)-message

Is that really Martin Truex Jr. sitting below the playoff cut line? Will he be there after Bristol for the Round of 12?

KEN'S CALL: Short answer is no, he'll crack the top 12. But then again, Mr. Maybe can be long-winded, especially at a place like Bristol, where so many variables can come into play and ruin your night ... and season, in this case.

RYAN'S RAMBLE: Almost unfathomably, I think he will. Bristol might be the worst track Truex could see in a bind and it's a strength for several of his peers near the bubble, including Kevin Harvick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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Chase Elliott says "no message" being sent to Kyle Larson. You buying it?

KEN'S CALL: Kyle jammed Chase leaving the pits (though it seemed no fault of Kyle's), and Chase quickly door-slammed Kyle under caution. Chase says no message was sent, but to me it looked like "Candygram for Mongo." A clear in-the-moment message.

RYAN'S RAMBLE: I believe it about as much as I did his explanation of the Denny Hamlin crash at Charlotte for which he was suspended. I know it's been a long season, but Chase's fuse runs awfully short anymore, doesn't it?

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR: Martin Truex sends an SOS, Chase Elliott sends a (non) message