A way-too-early look at the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture and who’s already playing catch-up

The NASCAR Cup Series is a long one with 36 points races between February and April, and even though we’re nearly a quarter of the way through it, it’s never too early to take a peek at the current standings and playoff picture.

There have been seven winners through eight races so far this season with William Byron currently being the lone driver with more than one checkered flag after winning Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. Other drivers with victories this year include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe.

The top-16 drivers in the standings after 26 regular-season races will advance to the 10-race playoffs beginning in September. And those seven winners have already locked themselves in — assuming there won’t be more than 16 different race winners by the end of the 26-race regular season, which would be an unexpected situation, to say the least.

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So whether you’re looking to closely follow the standings, need a refresher on where everyone currently sits or want to know what the playoff picture would be if the postseason began today, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a look at the top-25 drivers in the standings, along with their projected playoff rank and points, ahead of Sunday’s Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.