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.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Here are the playoff standings following the opening playoff race at Atlanta (x-clinched berth in second round):

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 2,071
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,066
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 2,059
William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,059
x-Joey Logano, Team Penske … 2,054
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,053
Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 2,053
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,050
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 2,048
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,041
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,028
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,027
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing … 2,026
Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing … 2,011
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,008
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 2006