With two buckets of points this season, drivers have to focus on winning stages and races to start collecting playoff points.
These 11 drivers are already off to a good start by scoring at least one playoff point through the first seven races of the season.
Check out who has scored the most playoff points so far in 2017:
, LAT Images www.latphoto.co.uk Russell LaBounty
11
Kyle Busch, 1 playoff point
After leading the opening stage in the Daytona 500, Busch hasn’t been able to secure any more playoff points yet this season.
10
Joey Logano, 1
Logano had one of the fastest cars at Phoenix before blowing a tire late and finishing 31st. He grabbed a stage win and got on the board for the playoffs.
9
Ryan Blaney, 2
As the class of the field in Texas, Blaney aimed to grab seven points with a clean sweep but pit strategy and a late-race mistake cost him the win. At least, he still has something to show for it.
8
Chase Elliott, 2
Elliott grabbed stage wins at Phoenix and Martinsville but he’s still seeking his first Monster Energy Series win.
7
Kevin Harvick, 3
Harvick scored all of his playoff points in the first two races of the season. He put together a dominant performance at Atlanta before a pit-road penalty cost him the win. He’s still in good position for the postseason.
© John K Harrelson/LAT Images www.latphoto.co.uk John K Harrelson
6
Kurt Busch, 5 (locked in)
The Daytona 500 winner locked himself into the playoffs but currently sits the lowest in the points for any driver with playoff points.
5
Ryan Newman, 5 (locked in)
A surprise win at Phoenix locked Newman into the playoffs and grabbed him some points, too. Finding his consistency from a few years ago in the playoffs could help him make a run in the postseason.
4
Jimmie Johnson, 5 (locked in)
After a struggle of a start to 2017, Johnson has secured his chance to chase championship No. 8 in the playoffs.
© Nigel Kinrade/LAT Images www.latphoto.co.uk AP
3
Kyle Larson, 6 (locked in)
Larson won the race and a stage at Auto Club Speedway to give him a solid showing for the playoffs. Being the points leader would also give him a nice 15 point bonus for the postseason, too.
2
Martin Truex Jr., 9 (locked in)
Truex became the first Cup Series driver to do a clean sweep of a race by winning all three stages at Vegas. He added two more points with stage wins at Auto Club and Martinsville.
1
Brad Keselowski, 10 (locked in)
With two wins, Keselowski sits atop the playoff standings after seven races this season.
FOX Fantasy Auto Form a Racing Team, Compete for Prizes
Play Now!
Recent Comments