BRISTOL, Tenn – The big storyline heading into the final two races of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular season has to be the possibility that Jimmie Johnson misses out on the playoffs.

Since the postseason format was started in 2004, Johnson is the only NASCAR driver to have never missed the 10 race playoffs. Now, he’s in danger of not making it this year.

Johnson, leaves Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night race with a disappointing 19th place finish as he’s now 26 points behind the cutoff line with only two races to make up that deficit.

Johnson, had another eventful night as he was collected in the first caution of the night on Lap 79 when Austin Dillon cut down a tire right in front of Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet. He had some damage as a result of that.

But, Johnson didn’t feel like he should have ever been back there as he wanted to qualify better. Instead, he rolled off 30th on Saturday night. That’s because the direction that they went on Friday. In both practice sessions, they worked on race trim. They never simulated a qualifying run. That cost them dearly. It’s likely the reason he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Then, he had issues the rest of the night and finished four laps down. To make matters worse, Ryan Newman finished 11th and extended his gap to 14. Clint Bowyer and Daniel Suarez would come home seventh and eighth respectively.

Johnson, fell further behind as he also scored zero stage points again. His last six finishes on the season are 30th, 30th, 15th, 19th, 34th and 19th respectively.

This doesn’t look like a playoff team. He now has to win at either Darlington or Indy to keep his playoff streak alive. Reality says though, that he won’t. His winless drought is now to 83 races.