NASCAR playoffs: Where the Cup drivers stand before Round of 12 elimination race

Two races in the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are in the books, and two drivers can breathe a sigh of relief heading into next weekend’s elimination race.

Ryan Blaney won Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway and clinched a berth in the third round along with William Byron, who won the second-round opener at Texas Motor Speedway.

The series now heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a race on the Roval – the part road course, part oval circuit that will conclude the Round of 12.

The four playoff drivers with the fewest points following the Roval race will be eliminated from contention, leaving eight drivers to continue their championship push.

How do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs work?

The playoffs consist of 10 races, starting with 16 drivers. The first nine races are broken up into three rounds with three races apiece, with winners automatically advancing to the next round. Four drivers will be eliminated after the third, sixth and ninth races, leaving a final four to battle for the championship on Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.

What are the standings after the fifth playoff race?

Here are the points after Sunday's race at Talladega, the second race of the second round (*-former champion; x-clinched spot in Round of 8):

1. x-William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports — 3,136 points

2. x-Ryan Blaney, Team Penske — 3,078 points

3. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing — 3,108 points

4. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing — 3,080 points

5. Chris Buescher, RFK Racing — 3,077 points

6. Martin Truex Jr.*, Joe Gibbs Racing — 3,075 points

7. Kyle Larson*, Hendrick Motorsports — 3,073 points

8. Brad Keselowski*, RFK Racing — 3,060 points

9. Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing — 3,058 points

10. Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing — 3,051 points

11. Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing — 3,050 points

12. Kyle Busch*, Richard Childress Racing — 3,034 points

What TV channels are the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on?

The final five playoff races will be on NBC.

Will there be live streams of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff races?

All playoff races can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app.

What is the NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule?

With dates, track, time and TV network; All times Eastern.

Sunday, Sept. 3: Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile oval). Winner: Kyle Larson

Sunday, Sept. 10: Kansas Speedway (1.5-mile oval). Winner: Tyler Reddick

Saturday, Sept. 16: Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533-mile oval). Winner: Denny Hamlin

Sunday, Sept. 24: Texas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval). Winner: William Byron

Sunday, Oct. 1: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile oval). Winner: Ryan Blaney

Sunday, Oct. 8: Charlotte Motor Speedway (2.28-mile road course/oval), 2 p.m., NBC

Sunday, Oct. 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval), 2:30 p.m., NBC

Sunday, Oct. 22: Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.5-mile oval), 2:30 p.m., NBC

Sunday, Oct. 29: Martinsville Speedway (0.526-mile oval), 2 p.m., NBC

Sunday, Nov. 5: Phoenix Raceway – championship race (1-mile oval), 3 p.m., NBC

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASCAR playoffs: Drivers points, standings, schedule for second round