But even though the playoff format emphasizes and rewards winning at the right time above all else -- Joey Logano is living proof of that -- perhaps too little attention has been paid to the run that Christopher Bell is on as he tries to win his first championship.

Given a second life in these playoffs, Joey Logano made it count with a win Sunday in Las Vegas, securing his spot in the Championship 4.

The only two-time Cup champion in the playoff field, Logano passed Daniel Suarez with five laps remaining Sunday for his fourth career victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was the second win of the playoffs for Logano and the Team Penske driver makes a Ford the first one locked into the winner-take-all final four at Phoenix Raceway next month.