Joey Logano NASCAR playoff standings have shifted dramatically after Sunday night’s race at Darlington, putting the defending champion below the critical cut line in 13th position. As Chase Briscoe secured his spot in the next playoff round with an outstanding victory, the rest of the field faces mounting pressure heading into the next weekend at Gateway.
Briscoe’s Dominant Win Alters Playoff Picture
Chase Briscoe delivered a commanding performance at Darlington, taking victory in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs opener. Briscoe, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, not only led over 300 laps but also swept both stages of the race. His locked-in status for the Round of 12 comes after a strong defense in the final 20 laps, where he held off an aggressive push from Tyler Reddick.
Reddick managed to recover from early race problems after getting caught up in an incident with Josh Berry on the opening lap, demonstrating resilience and determination. Despite the setback, Reddick finished strongly and keeps a comfortable margin above the elimination threshold.
Impact on Standings: Logano Slips Below Cut Line
The Darlington race, marked by incidents and unpredictable turns, shook up the playoff standings more than many expected. Joey Logano, last year’s champion, now finds himself three points below the cut line in 13th position. Alongside him, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry are also below the elimination mark, with Dillon eight points short, and both Bowman and Berry trailing by nineteen points each. As the series heads to Gateway for the second postseason race, the pressure mounts for those fighting to remain in championship contention.
Current NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings
After the opener at Darlington, the playoff rankings ahead of Gateway are as follows:
1. Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing) – Locked in (Darlington Win)
2. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) – +43 points
3. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) – +26 points
4. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) – +35 points
5. Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) – +25 points
6. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) – +25 points
7. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) – +22 points
8. Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing) – +21 points
9. Austin Cindric (Team Penske) – +12 points
10. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) – +11 points
11. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – +9 points
12. Shane Van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) – +3 points
— CUTOFF LINE —
13. Joey Logano (Team Penske) – -3 points
14. Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) – -8 points
15. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) – -19 points
16. Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing) – -19 points
What’s at Stake Going Forward
As the NASCAR playoffs head to Gateway, high-profile drivers like Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry face the urgent challenge of overcoming deficits to stay in the championship hunt. With many top drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, Team Penske, Hendrick Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and Richard Childress Racing all vying for advancement, the next races promise increased intensity, strategy, and unpredictability. The new playoff landscape sets the stage for heightened drama and competition as the postseason continues.
