The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series returned to the Lone Star State with an all-new layout at Circuit of the Americas, and it more than delivered with two thrilling events.
Here’s how the drivers stack up in the points standings after the third weekend of the 2025 season:
Cup Playoff Standings After COTA
Christopher Bell took the lead from Kyle Busch with six laps to go and never looked back to win at COTA and score back-to-back Cup wins for the first time in his career.
2025 Daytona 500 champion William Byron scored a runner-up finish to take the regular season points lead from Ryan Blaney.
Up Next: The Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 9. Coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
Xfinity Playoff Standings After COTA
Connor Zilisch entered COTA 31st in Xfinity points after back-to-back crashes at Daytona and Atlanta and left with his second Xfinity road course win in as many starts.
Zilisch soared to 16th in the regular season standings, and he joins Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Hill and Jesse Love in the 2025 playoff field; Hill finished fourth at COTA to retain his regular season points lead over Love.
Up Next: The Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time 200 at Phoenix on Saturday, March 8. Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. ET on The CW.
Truck Playoff Standings
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had its first off week of the season, as COTA did not return to the 2025 Truck schedule after four straight appearances from 2021 to 2024.
Corey Heim is the only Truck driver to clinch a playoff spot with his season-opening win at Daytona, while Grant Enfinger continues to hold a slim, one-point lead over defending champion Ty Majeski in the regular season standings.
Up Next: The Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, March 14. Coverage will begin at 9 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
Stephen Stumpf is the NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch and is a three-year veteran of the site. His weekly column is “Stat Sheet,” and he formerly wrote "4 Burning Questions" for three years. He also writes commentaries, contributes to podcasts, edits articles and is frequently at the track for on-site coverage.
Find Stephen on Twitter @stephen_stumpf