Joey Logano won the opening race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, 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.
Here are the playoff standings following the opening playoff race at Atlanta (x-clinched berth in second round):