Ryan Blaney entered Sunday's race at Talladega in need of a win or at least a strong showing, and he earned some much needed playoff points as he won Stage 2 of the race.
Fourth stage win of the season for Ryan @Blaney! He's fighting to advance in the #NASCARPlayoffs at @TalladegaSuperS! #Blaney pic.twitter.com/eLPuFGOz7h
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 15, 2017
Related: Championship contender is finished for the day at Talladega after crashing into an Earnhardt
Blaney held off Stage 1 winner Brad Keselowski for the Stage 2 win. Clint Bowyer, Chase Elliott and Kurt Busch rounded out the top 5.
Ryan @Blaney wants in the Round of 8!
He wins Stage 2 at @TalladegaSuperS! #Blaney pic.twitter.com/D6y148dvTU
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 15, 2017
Blaney won the first Cup race of his career earlier this year, and a win today would automatically qualify him for the next round of the playoffs.
Anything can happen at Talladega, and the final stage will be intense for the playoff drivers attempting to make it into the Round of 8.