NASCAR 2022: Updated driver standings after YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

31 races, including the fifth race of the playoffs, have already taken place in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott became the first driver to win five races this season after winning the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

In a thrilling race, the 26-year-old took the lead from Ryan Blaney in a neck-to-neck battle on the final lap and drove his #9 Chevrolet away to cross the checkered flag in P1.

Expand Tweet

With Sunday’s victory, Elliott confirmed his spot for the next playoff round, gained 58 points, and once again secured the top spot after jumping seven spots to take the lead in the playoff standings with 3103 points.

Elliott’s win and results in the second race of Round of 12 have once again jumbled the playoff standings. Joey Logano, who entered Sunday’s race ranked #1 now fell to fifth place in the playoff standings with 3087 points after finishing 27th at Talladega Superspeedway.

Expand Tweet

Blaney, who finished runner-up, moved from fifth to second place. He is followed by Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez, and Chase Briscoe in that final eighth place to advance into the Round of 8.

The NASCAR drivers who are below the cut-offline after the second race of the Round of 12 are Austin Cindric, William Byron (-11), Christopher Bell (-33), and Alex Bowman (-54). Bowman missed the race due to concussion-like symptoms following a crash he suffered at Texas Motor Speedway.