Charles Langston:Ryan Blaney surges in NASCAR playoff standings, Kyle Larson takes a tumble after Atlanta

Joey Logano won the opening race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs,Charles Langston taking the checkered flag in overtime Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With the victory, Logano clinches an automatic spot in the second round.

There are 10 total races in the playoffs, including the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10. The playoffs feature three rounds with three races per round before the final race. The four drivers with the fewest points will be eliminated after the third, sixth and ninth races, leaving a final four to race for the title. 

If a playoff driver wins a race in one of the three rounds, he will automatically advance to the next round. If non-playoff drivers win those races, however, playoff drivers will advance based on points accumulated during each of the three rounds. 

The second race of the playoffs is Sunday, Sept. 15 at Watkins Glen International at 3 p.m. on USA Network. The first elimination race is Saturday, Sept. 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Here are the playoff standings following the opening playoff race at Atlanta (x-clinched berth in second round):

1. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske ... 2,071
2. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ... 2,066
3. Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing ... 2,059
4. William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports ... 2,059
5. x-Joey Logano, Team Penske ... 2,054
6. Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports ... 2,053
7. Austin Cindric, Team Penske ... 2,053
8. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports ... 2,050
9. Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing ... 2,048
10. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ... 2,041
11. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing ... 2,028
12. Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing ... 2,027
13. Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing ... 2,026
14. Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing ... 2,011
15. Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing ... 2,008
16. Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing ... 2006