NASCAR playoff rankings: Who is in good shape after Atlanta, who should worry?

HAMPTON, Ga. — Sorry Joey Logano fans, just because the two-time Cup champion won the NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener Sunday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway doesn't mean that he is now the championship favorite.

In some years, that might be the case. It would signify riding the momentum of the regular season into the postseason.

But Logano, who finished the regular season 15th in the standings, didn't have much momentum coming into the playoffs. Just too much inconsistency in his results to view him as a major player.

Now he could be a player as he already has advanced to the quarterfinal round.

NASCAR's version of the playoffs — where those outside the playoffs still compete each week as well — runs over the final 10 races of the season. The first three rounds consist of three races and the four winless drivers in the round who are lowest in points are eliminated, setting up four drivers who are eligible for the title in the season finale at Phoenix with the driver who finishes the best (they don't get stage points) crowned the champion.

In each round, the advancing drivers' point totals are reset (2000 in the first round, 3000 in the quarterfinal round, 4000 in the semifinal round, 5000 for the championship) with the playoff points they earned during the season added to their total except for the championship race.

The tracks:

Here are my playoff rankings based on best shot to win the title to the worst shot:

1. Christopher Bell (Last Week: 2)
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota
Position: 3rd, +40 on the cutoff
2023-Watkins Glen Finish: 3rd

Bell takes the top spot in these rankings because Kyle Larson's wreck puts Larson in a position where if he has another bad day, he possibly won't advance out of this round. Bell has