Playoff Watch: Post-Pocono

At certain points throughout the season, NASCAR.com will paint a vivid playoff picture. Through 14 regular-season races (out of 26), and after Ryan Blaney's first win, here is what the postseason would look like if the playoffs started today.

A few reminders:
-- All point totals are reset to 2,000 for the 16 eligible playoff drivers.
-- Drivers earn 5 playoff points for each of their regular-season wins.
-- Drivers earn 1 playoff point for each stage win.
-- The top 10 finishers in the regular-season standings earn playoff points on a sliding scale.

Missing the cut

With three first-time winners already this year, along with Ryan Newman's first win since 2013, there are a handful of big names currently out of the playoffs. Among them: Matt Kenseth (2016 postseason driver), who sits just behind Joey Logano in the standings, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and 2016 playoff participant Chris Buescher.

16. Joey Logano, 2,001 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 1
Note: His Richmond win encumbered, Logano finds himself on the playoff bubble. He barely is clinging to the final spot and hasn't finished in the top 20 in the five races since his Richmond win, and subsequent penalty.

15. Clint Bowyer, 2,001 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 0
Note: Bowyer gets an extra point for being 10th in the regular-season standings, but he's close to falling further ... and perhaps out of the playoff picture.

14. Jamie McMurray, 2,003 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 0
Note: McMurray is eighth in points and has a fast car every week, but the multiple surprise winners this season has him on shaky ground.

13. Denny Hamlin, 2,004 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 2
Note: Fourteen races in, and still no wins for Joe Gibbs Racing. Only two of its four drivers currently are in the playoffs, with Hamlin being the lowest-seeded among them.

12. Austin Dillon, 2,005 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Charlotte)
Stage wins: 0
Note: Dillon is in great shape thanks to his Coca-Cola 600 win, but might start to get nervous if we continue to put new drivers in Victory Lane this year.

11. Ryan Newman, 2,005 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Phoenix)
Stage wins: 0
Note: Newman has used consistent speed and smart strategy to notch three consecutive top 15s.

10. Kurt Busch, 2,005 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Daytona)
Stage wins: 0
Note: It's a hit-or-miss year for Kurt Busch. He has six finishes inside the top eight, and five of 25th or worse.

9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2,005 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Talladega)
Stage wins: 0
Note: Stenhouse is flashing some real talent, and speed, on tracks 1.5 miles or bigger.

8. Chase Elliott, 2,007 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 2
Note: Elliott seems like the logical choice to be the next driver to notch his first career Monster Energy Series win ... although Erik Jones may disagree.

7. Ryan Blaney, 2,008 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Pocono)
Stage wins: 0
Note: How big is a win? Blaney went from out of the playoffs to seeded seventh in one week with his Pocono victory.

6. Kyle Busch, 2,011 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 4
Note: No wins, but everything is great for Kyle Busch who brings a fast piece every week. If he knocks off a couple of victories, he's elevated into contention for the top seed of the playoffs.

5. Kevin Harvick, 2,011 points

Qualified via: Points
Stage wins: 3
Note: It's hard to believe Harvick hasn't won yet -- he's still third in the standings and in good shape.

4. Brad Keselowski, 2,018 points

Qualified via: 2 wins (Atlanta, Martinsville)
Stage wins: 2
Note: Keselowski is one of just three drivers with multiple wins this season.

3. Kyle Larson, 2,018 points

Qualified via: 1 win (Auto Club)
Stage wins: 3
Note: One point behind Martin Truex Jr. in the point standings knocks Larson down in the playoff picture; getting that top spot back would bring 15 playoff points (second place in the standings is worth 10 playoff points).

2. Jimmie Johnson, 2,019 points

Qualified via: 3 wins (Texas, Bristol, Dover)
Stage wins: 0
Note: It's strange to see Johnson with three wins, but no stage wins -- the No. 48 team has been strong at the end.

1. Martin Truex Jr., 2,033 points

Qualified via: 2 wins (Las Vegas, Kansas)
Stage wins: 8
Note: Truex is having a remarkable season, leading NASCAR in points and stage wins. His 33 playoff points would have him 32 points ahead of the final seeded drivers if the postseason began today.