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

Denny Hamlin won Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, clinching a berth in the Championship 4. Here's what the Cup Series playoff grid looks like after the first race of the Round of 8. 

What playoff standings look like after Las Vegas

1. Denny Hamlin (win) 

Hamlin and the No. 11 team can spend the next two weeks preparing for Phoenix. The veteran driver won't have anything to worry about at Talladega or Martinsville with his playoff fate secured for the time being. 

2. Kyle Larson (+35) 

Larson won Stage 2 at LVMS on Sunday and has a solid points cushion headed to Talladega, where it may come in very handy. 

3. Christopher Bell (+20) 

Bell didn't get the win he so badly wanted, but he finished third and has two stages' worth of a gap to the cut line. 

4. Chase Briscoe (+15) 

All things considered, being above the cut line — especially by double digits — is a great spot to be in for Briscoe, who finished fourth. 

5. William Byron (-15) 

Byron is now below the cut line by double digits after he was involved in a bizarre late-race incident with Ty Dillon. 

6. Chase Elliott (-23) 

A pit road mistake from Elliott during the race's middle stages put the 2020 champion behind the eight ball. Elliott finished 18th and needs a big day at Talladega. 

7. Joey Logano (-24) 

Despite a strong sixth-place effort, Logano is still in need of a pair of very strong races if he is to get back to the Championship 4. 

8. Ryan Blaney (-31) 

A flat tire late in Stage 1 relegated Blaney to a last-place (38th) finish.