NASCAR Cup Playoff Standings After Penske’s Domination At Atlanta

Somewhere Sunday night Roger Penske no doubt had a big smile. His three car Team Penske bunch dominated an otherwise chaotic day at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Ryan Blaney took the first Stage, and Austin Cindric claimed the second. Cindric led a race-high 92 laps, more than he had ever led in a Cup race to date. And the day ended with Penske driver Joey Logano celebrating.

Meanwhile the news was not so good for several other Playoff contenders. Top seed Kyle Larson crashed out early as did underdog Chase Briscoe who was swept up in Larson’s troubles. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also had very forgettable days. Truex’s crew had to make a prerace adjustment, and he was forced to start in the back. And while he did make a charge forward, it all collapsed in the end, and he finished 35^th. Hamlin and his crew struggled all weekend. A poor qualifying effort on Saturday had him deep in the field, and like Truex a prerace adjustment also cost him a starting spot. His team decided to “play if conservatively” hoping for some sort of miracle and a late race charge. That never happened, he ran near the back all race long and finished 24^th.

All will have a chance for redemption as the second race of the Playoffs heads to Watkins Glen nest week where William Byron is the defending winner.

Here’s a look at the Playoff standings with 9 races to go:

Playoff Standings After Atlanta

1) Joey Logano: ADV

2) Ryan Blaney: +46

3) Christopher Bell: +40

4) Tyler Reddick: +33

5) William Byron: +33

6) Austin Cindric: +27

7) Alex Bowman: +27

8) Chase Elliott: +24

9) Daniel Suarez: +22

10) Kyle Larson: +15

11) Denny Hamlin: +2

12) Ty Gibbs: +1

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13) Brad Keselowski: -1

14) Harrison Burton: -16

15) Martin Truex Jr.: -19

16) Chase Briscoe: -21