NASCAR Cup Series

Chase standings update after Kansas: Only Logano is totally safe

Published Oct. 5, 2014 6:22 p.m. ET

Tom Jensen

Misfortunes that afflicted several top drivers have seriously juggled the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings after the first of three races in what NASCAR calls its Contender Round.

Joey Logano scored a dominating victory in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, clinching one of eight spots in the Eliminator Round, which will begin at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26.

Logano's victory put him in the Sprint Cup points lead, ahead of Kyle Busch (-6), Carl Edwards (-9), Ryan Newman (-9) and Denny Hamlin (-11). Rounding out the top eight are Kevin Harvick (-15), Matt Kenseth (-17) and Jeff Gordon (-17).

Those drivers outside the top eight now are Kasey Kahne (-25), Brad Keselowski (-39), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-42) and six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (-44). In order to advance to the Eliminator Round, these four drivers will either have to win next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway or in two weeks at Talladega Superspeedway, or be back in the top eight in points after Talladega. Either way, it will be a tall order.

Over the next two races, 11 drivers will be worried about advancing, especially given the potential for chaos that exists at Talladega, where a driver can run well all day and get taken out in an accident in the final laps and finish 35th.

The only one who won't be fretting is Logano, who punched his ticket to the Eliminator Round Sunday at Kansas.

"It makes Talladega a lot easier, that is for sure," said Logano. "To know we are onto the next round we can focus on a few more races coming up and we will keep trying to capitalize like we are doing."

VIDEO: Joey Logano talks about his big win Sunday at Kansas Speedway