NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Phoenix race, Chase picture

After the Freeway Insurance 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix on October 18, Denny Hamlin did not capitalize on Kyle Larson's less-than-stellar performance. A tire blowout with under 100 laps remaining cost Hamlin a lap due to an unfortunate timing of a caution flag. He finished 28th and saw his points standings drop to fourth place.

Larson, who began the race outside the top 20, remained there for the majority of the day, failing to accumulate any stage points before concluding the race in 34th position. Despite this, Larson still leads the NASCAR points standings, holding a five-point advantage over second-place Christopher Bell. As of the post-race update, here are the latest NASCAR Cup Series points standings:

1. Tyler Reddick - 2,314 points

2. Kyle Larson - 2,370 points

3. Christopher Bell - 2,365 points

4. Chase Briscoe - 2,346 points

5. Denny Hamlin - 2,339 points

6. Ryan Blaney - 2,330 points

7. Joey Logano - 2,326 points

8. Tyler Reddick - 2,314 points

9. Austin Cindric - 2,240 points

10. Ty Gibbs - 2,238 points

These standings represent the situation after seven out of the ten races in the Chase have been completed.