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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings after Atlanta

By Phil Naegely

Mar 5, 2017; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) wins the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) wins the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brad Keselowski took advantage of other driver’s mistakes to win the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Check out the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings after Atlanta below.

It was the Kevin Harvick show during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. However, a penalty for speeding in pit row forced the No. 4 car to complete a pass through and give up the lead with under 15 laps to go. Brad Keselowski capitalized on Harvick’s and Kyle Larson’s decision to go high to win his first Cup Series race at Atlanta.

Despite his speeding penalty, Harvick weaved his way back into the top 10 before the checkered flag. The final laps of the day saw a great battle between Larson and Keselowski for the top spot. Keselowski found his way to the front after passing Larson down low and held on for the big win.

Standings for the top-20 drivers are listed below. Full standings can be found on NASCAR.com.

  1. Kevin Harvick 90 points (48 from Atlanta)
  2. Kurt Busch 86 points (30)
  3. Brad Keselowski 84 (53)
  4. Chase Elliott 82 (49)
  5. Joey Logano 80 (37)
  6. Kyle Larson 79 (43)
  7. Martin Truex Jr. 67 (43)
  8. Ryan Blaney 63 (19)
  9. Kasey Kahne 63 (33)
  10. Trevor Bayne 58 (26)
  11. AJ Allmendinger 50 (11)
  12. Jamie McMurray 49 (27)
  13. Aric Almirola 47 (10)
  14. Clint Bowyer 46 (28)
  15. Paul Menard 44 (12)
  16. Matt Kenseth 41 (34)
  17. Cole Whitt 38 (17)
  18. Matt DiBenedetto 37 (9)
  19. Denny Hamlin 37 (4)
  20. Ryan Newman 37 (15)

The new stage lengths are doing exactly what NASCAR and the drivers wanted. Those who dominate during the race but sputter down the stretch are still rewarded. Harvick earned 20 of his 48 points at Atlanta from stage wins. Another 10 points came from his one stage win at Daytona the week before. Without those 30 points from stage wins, Harvick would be 10th in the standings.

Next: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 results

After an exciting race down the stretch, Keselowski earned 40 of his 53 points by finishing first. His first Cup Series win at Atlanta couldn’t have come at a better time. He now sits in third with 86 points in a crowded field in the top five of the standings. The Cup Series drivers head out West for next weekend’s race in Las Vegas.

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