DARLINGTON, S.C. - Kyle Larson, William Byron and Chase Elliott are all above the cutline after the first race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 16.
The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway went into the books on Sunday night and by the time the smoke cleared, Larson exited in third place in the points standings, 38 points to the good. Byron, the regular season champion, is tied for fifth 25 points to the good. Elliott is currently in 11th place, nine points clear.
Hendrick Motorsports' fourth driver, Alex Bowman will need to make up 19 points over the next two races, or win, to advance to the Round of 12.
Next week's race at Gateway is slated for a 3 p.m. start next Sunday and will air on USA Network.
Here's the points standings heading to the round's second race:
RELATED: Win a Jimmie Johnson signed hat with this week's Darlington Raceway quiz
NASCAR points standings today
| Driver | Margin |
|---|---|
| 1. Chase Briscoe | ADV |
| 2. Denny Hamlin | +43 |
| 3. Kyle Larson | +38 |
| 4. Tyler Reddick | +35 |
| t-5. William Byron | +25 |
| t-5. Bubba Wallace | +25 |
| 7. Ryan Blaney | +22 |
| 8. Ross Chastain | +21 |
| 9. Austin Cindric | +12 |
| 10. Christopher Bell | +11 |
| 11. Chase Elliott | +9 |
| 12. Shane van Gisbergen | +3 |
| ------------- | -- |
| 13. Joey Logano | -3 |
| 14. Austin Dillon | -8 |
| t-15. Alex Bowman | -19 |
| t-15. Josh Berry | -19 |