What the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff standings look like after Las Vegas

Aric Almirola won Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but behind him, the playoff picture changed quite a bit. Here's what the playoff grid looks like after the first race of the Round of 8. 

Xfinity Series playoff standings

1. Connor Zilisch (+82) 

Zilisch finished runner-up to Almirola on Saturday and is in an excellent points position going into Talladega. 

2. Justin Allgaier (+44) 

The defending Xfinity Series champion came home third on Saturday and is also looking like one of the favorites to make the Championship 4. 

3. Jesse Love (+20) 

A clutch sixth-place run from Love on Saturday has him in a solid points position going into Talladega, where his RCR Chevy will likely spend plenty of time near the front. 

4. Sam Mayer (+8) 

Mayer rebounded from early engine problems to finish ninth. He'll need a strong run at Talladega to stay above the cut line. 

5. Brandon Jones (-8) 

A 13th-place finish on Saturday wasn't ideal for Jones, who now finds himself below the cut line going into a treacherous race at Talladega. 

6. Sheldon Creed (-21) 

Following an 11th-place effort on Saturday, Creed is in a less-than-ideal points situation going into Talladega. It may take Creed getting his first career win in order for him to make the Championship 4. 

7. Carson Kvapil (-22) 

Kvapil entered Saturday's race below the cut line and stayed below it after finishing 15th. 

8. Sammy Smith (-24) 

Smith couldn't afford anything less than a top-10 on Saturday, and unfortunately for the No. 8 team, he finished 20th.