What the NASCAR Cup Series Chase bubble looks like after Atlanta

Following Ryan Blaney's win in the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta, there are only six races left in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season. 

Here's what the Chase grid looks like after 20 races:

1. Denny Hamlin (Clinched)

2. Tyler Reddick (Clinched)

3. Ryan Blaney (+288)

4. Ty Gibbs (+227)

5. Chase Elliott (+172)

6. Kyle Larson (+156)

7. Chris Buescher (+130)

8. Carson Hocevar (+125)

9. Christopher Bell (+113)

10. Chase Briscoe (+104)

11. Daniel Suarez (+91)

12. William Byron (+82)

13. Bubba Wallace (+55)

Wallace could be above Byron if not for a crucial penalty incurred on the final lap after he went below the double-yellow line while trying to make the winning move. He needs a good run at North Wilkesboro before trying to defend his win in the 2025 Brickyard 400. 

14. Austin Cindric (+32)

Cindric only finished 14th at Atlanta but scored 13 huge stage points, gaining five points on the cut line. The No. 2 team hasn't been flashy this season but is doing enough to keep its head above water so far. 

15. Shane van Gisbergen (+31)

Van Gisbergen drove one of the most impressive oval races of his NASCAR career at Atlanta, finishing sixth. He only gained one point on the cut line, but treading water isn't the worst thing for him in regard to the standings right now. 

16. Erik Jones (+8)

It looked like Jones might be in jeopardy of falling out of the top 16 early, but he rallied to finish fifth, gaining four points on the cut line. The next six races will show what the No. 43 team is made of. 

17. Joey Logano (-8)

Logano needed a speedway race in the worst way, and he capitalized, finishing ninth and earning 15 stage points. The No. 22 team needed momentum going into the back half of the summer stretch, and now it has it.

18. Ryan Preece (-26)

Preece was a non-factor at Atlanta, finishing 24th. He lost 22 points to the cut line, which isn't great for the No. 60 team ahead of the final six-race stretch of the regular season. 

19. Brad Keselowski (-43)

Preece's boss and teammate at RFK Racing is in a worse spot. Keselowski finished 26th at Atlanta and hasn't finished inside the top 10 since Kansas on April 19. His Chase hopes are fading fast. 

20. Ross Chastain (-45)

On the other hand, Chastain finally has some semblance of momentum after finishing 11th at Atlanta. Chastain now has four top 15s over the last five races and could make the Chase if he continues that streak and gets some help.

21. Michael McDowell (-47)

22. AJ Allmendinger (-50)

23. Zane Smith (-90)

24. Todd Gilliland (-93)

25. Riley Herbst (-96)