Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings after the Coca-Cola 600
By Nick Tylwalk
Kyle Larson led the standings going into the Coca-Cola 600 but had to start from the rear? Is he still leading the way after the race?
A total of 400 laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway can take a lot out of NASCAR drivers and teams. Throw in a thunderstorm and a first-time winner in Austin Dillon and the Coca-Cola 600 had just about everything.
Including a brand new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points leader.
Martin Truex Jr. seemed dismayed on pit road after leading the most laps on Memorial Day weekend for the third straight year but falling short of a win for the second of those three times. If there’s any consolation, he’s now leading the points after Kyle Larson failed to finish on the lead lap for the first time in 2017.
Truex finished third and racked up a total of 60 points thanks to the race’s extra stage. That proved to be important, as he scored 49 more points than Larson, who didn’t even complete all four stages, and took over the top spot headed to Dover.
Only one other driver is within 100 points of the lead, but Brad Keselowski had a rotten day himself, colliding with Chase Elliott during Stage 1 and ending the day for both men quite early.
With almost half the regular season done, the playoff picture is starting to round into focus. Drivers like Matt Kenseth, Trevor Bayne, Kasey Kahne and yes, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will likely need to get a win soon or be sweating it out all the way to Richmond.
Next: Austin Dillon's Coca-Cola 600 gamble pays off for first Cup Series victory
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings after the Coca-Cola 600
(12 out of 26 regular season races)
- Martin Truex Jr., 491 points, 2 wins
- Kyle Larson, -5, 1 win
- Brad Keselowski, -82, 2 wins
- Kevin Harvick, -103
- Kyle Busch, -105
- Jamie McMurray, -106
- Chase Elliott, -129
- Jimmie Johnson, -132, 2 wins
- Clint Bowyer, -148
- Joey Logano, -155, 1 win (encumbered for playoff purposes)
- Denny Hamlin, -159
- Ryan Blaney, -183
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., -193, 1 win
- Kurt Busch, -201, 1 win
- Matt Kenseth, -203
- Trevor Bayne, -220
- Ryan Newman, -225, 1 win
- Erik Jones, -235
- Daniel Suarez, -245
- Kasey Kahne, -247
- Austin Dillon, -253, 1 win
- Ty Dillon, -286
- Dale Earnhardt Jr., -289
- Paul Menard, -294
- Aric Almirola, -303
- Chris Buescher, -319
- David Ragan, -333
- Michael McDowell, -336
- A.J. Allmendinger, -342
- Cole Whitt, -352
- Landon Cassill, -354
- Danica Patrick, -364
- Matt DiBenedetto, -367
- Corey LaJoie, -409
- Reed Sorensen, -428
- Gray Gaulding, -430
- Jeffrey Earnhardt, -441
- Michael Waltrip, -462
- Derrike Cope, -469
- D.J. Kennington, -490
- Cody Ware, -490