It was a wild ride for some of the NASCAR drivers this past weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.  A 20 turn road course, COTA provided plenty of challenges…and opportunities to pass.

Watermelon Man Ross Chastain became the sixth different race winner after COTA – and the third first time driver in the Cup Series.  And in true Chastain fashion, his celebration included the smashing of a watermelon on the track – part of which he picked up and began eating during his post race interview.

So far this season Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, and Kyle Larson have all won races this season.

Chase Elliott holds on to the lead in the playoff standings with 208 points.

NASCAR Cup Series standings:
Chase Elliott – 208
Ryan Blaney – 195
Joey Logano – 185
Alex Bowman – 183
Ross Chastain – 180
William Byron – 175
Martin Truex Jr – 172
Aric Almirola – 168
Chase Briscoe – 166
Tyler Reddick – 158
Kyle Busch – 154
Austin Cindric – 153
Kurt Busch – 153
Kevin Harvick -153
Daniel Suarez – 150
Kyle Larson – 149


Chase Elliott also leads in the playoff points with 2,015.  During the regular season, the top 16 drivers are given 2,000 and any stage and playoff points are added to that number.

Cup Series Playoff Points:
Chase Elliott – 2,015
Alex Bowman – 2,013
Ross Chastain – 2,012
William Byron – 2,012
Ryan Blaney – 2,012
Joey Logano – 2,008
Chase Briscoe – 2,007
Martin Truex Jr – 2,006
Kyle Larson – 2,005
Austin Cindric – 2,005
Tyler Reddick – 2,003
Aric Almirola – 2,003
Daniel Suarez – 2,001
Kurt Busch – 2,000
Kyle Busch – 2,000
Kevin Harvick – 2,000


After the Pit Boss 250 at COTA, Noah Gragson leads the points race with 258 points.  Pit Boss winner AJ Allmendinger is right behind with 257 points.

Xfinity Series points standings:
Noah Gragson – 258
AJ Allmendinger – 257
Ty Gibbs – 227
Justin Allgaier – 190
Josh Berry – 181
Austin Hill – 172
Brandon Jones – 172
Daniel Hemric – 166
Sam Mayer – 162
Ryan Sieg – 151
Sheldon Creed – 149
Riley Herbst – 145


In the Camping World Truck Series, Chandler Smith leads the points race with 170 points.

Truck Series point standings:
Chandler Smith – 170
Ben Rhodes – 155
Stewart Friesen – 147
Zane Smith – 139
Tanner Gray – 139
Christian Eckes – 122
Ty Majeski – 122
John Hunter Nemechek – 115
Tylaer Ankrum – 104
Derek Kraus – 104