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The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs kicked off with Team Penske driver Joey Logano taking a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway. After enduring a first-round exit last season, the two-time Cup champion has successfully advanced to the Round of 12 in 2024.
The playoff opener at Atlanta dealt mixed fortunes for playoff drivers. Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe got wrecked in the first stage, while Denny Hamlin had a forgettable weekend. Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. faced misfortune.
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The NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Watkins Glen for the second race in the Round of 16. Brad Keselowski, Harrison Burton, Martin Truex Jr., and Chase Briscoe are all currently below the cutline and in need of a strong result at the Glen.
Let us take a look at how the NASCAR playoff opener affected the top five drivers in the power rankings.
Top 5 NASCAR drivers in the Power Rankings
#5 Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch has broken into the top five rankings following a hot streak heading into the playoff season and a seventh-place finish at Atlanta. Although not in contention for the championship, Busch remains in the hunt for his first victory of the season.
A two-time race winner at Watkins Glen, Busch's recent results at the track have been inconsistent, with a single top-10 finish in his last four visits. However, the #8 RCR driver could upset the playoff contenders with a victory this weekend.
#4 Ryan Blaney
Reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney made a resilient comeback to secure a third-place finish with a damaged car in Atlanta. With a huge points haul in the playoff opener, Blaney occupies the second spot in the standings with a 45-point advantage to the cutline.
The #12 Penske driver has three top-10 finishes in his seven starts at Watkins Glen and needs a clean race this weekend to maintain his points advantage.
#3 Kyle Larson
The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion, Kyle Larson, was involved in a scary crash while running at the front in the first stage. Leaving Atlanta with a single point, he has tumbled from the top of the standings to 10th, sitting just 15 points above the cutline.
A two-time Cup race winner at the Glen, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver needs a solid result this weekend to make up for the points loss at Atlanta.
#2 Christopher Bell
Having secured his 10th top-five result of the season at Atlanta, Christopher Bell continues to lead the Joe Gibbs Racing lineup. Bell stands third in the playoff standings, 40 points ahead of the cutline.
The #20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has secured three top-10 results in as many starts at the Glen, including a career-best third-place result last season.
#1 Tyler Reddick
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion, Tyler Reddick, managed a sixth-place finish at Atlanta, which marked his 12th top-10 result in the last 14 races. He is fourth in the playoff standings, 33 points ahead of the cutline.
The #45 Toyota driver has secured three top-10 results in as many starts at Watkins Glen, including a best result of eighth place last season.
