How does a winless driver, with a scant four top-10s who's led a just a single lap, end up qualifying for the Chase? In Menard's case, it's because he finished 20th or better in 18 of 26 races, and avoided a run of ghastly results that put him in an insurmountable points deficit he couldn't overcome.
Menard getting into the playoffs is an achievement unto itself. Anything else that may occur over the next 10 weeks should be considered a bonus.
Entering the deciding race of Round 1 it's a foregone conclusion Menard will be cut.
If this were the NCAA men's basketball tournament, Menard would be a No. 16 seed playing a No. 1 seed; a matchup that never turns out favorably for the underdog.