NASCAR Cup points updated after second Playoff race at Watkins Glen
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs points have shifted and it looks nothing like what many expected it to look like at this point. Atlanta and Watkins Glen have put a few favorites in tough positions.
Watkins Glen, somehow, was more chaotic and consequential than Atlanta. The road course tested these drivers and many of them made mistakes in return. However, it wasn’t all bad for everyone.
Chris Buescher walked away with the upset win. He steals a win from the NASCAR Playoff drivers as they now fight for points and one more automatic bid into the Round of 12 at Bristol.
Updated NASCAR Playoff Standings after Atlanta
This was a race that threw a wrench at 11 of the 16 NASCAR Playoff drivers. A wreck on Lap 1 changed this race from the beginning. The format of Atlanta into Watkins Glen helped drivers like Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman as well as Daniel Suárez who all appear in a good position to advance to the Round of 12.
| Rank | Driver | +/- |
| 1 | Joey Logano | 0 (1 Win) |
| 2 | Christopher Bell | +46 |
| 3 | Austin Cindric | +43 |
| 4 | Alex Bowman | +41 |
| 5 | Daniel Suárez | +36 |
| 6 | Tyler Reddick | +30 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | +30 |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | +29 |
| 9 | Kyle Larson | +26 |
| 10 | William Byron | +25 |
| 11 | Chase Briscoe | +6 |
| 12 | Ty Gibbs | +6 |
| 13 | Denny Hamlin | -6 |
| 14 | Brad Keselowski | -12 |
| 15 | Martin Truex Jr. | -14 |
| 16 | Harrison Burton | -20 |
Denny Hamlin entered two points above the cutline, he’s now six below. Given his wreck on Lap 1, it could have been worse. Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski had poor performances as well.
While he is only six points above the cutline, Chase Briscoe had an excellent afternoon. Briscoe was the top playoff driver in the field, finishing P6. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver has performed above expectations.
Ryan Blaney is the driver who ends up lucking out today. He was taken out of the race on Lap 1 due to the wreck. However, NASCAR is the one who told him he was done, his team never got a chance to look at or attempt to repair the No. 12 Ford before they were given a DNF.
The NASCAR Playoffs are heading into the first cutoff race. The Bristol Night Race is a spectacle in and of itself. It also happens to be one of the most challenging races on the schedule and the one where four drivers will have their playoff hopes ended.