Sprint Cup Chase 2015: NASCAR Standings and Schedule After GEICO 500 – Bleacher Report

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had been having a decent 2015 season until Sunday, when he secured a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup by taking the checkered flag in the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama.

Many of the most talented drivers had strong showings in Sunday’s race, including perennial NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. He came in second and closed the gap on points leader Kevin Harvick, who still did rather well in finishing eighth.

Check out the top 10 standings below, courtesy of ESPN.com, followed by the remaining schedule and further analysis:

Earnhardt was emotional in the aftermath of his first win of the season, coming in a race in which he led 67 laps, more than any other driver.

NASCAR Stats noted how elusive finding Victory Lane had been for Earnhardt at Sunday’s track, though he has had immense success over the years:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. ends a 20-race winless drought at Talladega.

Winner!

— NASCAR Stats (@NASCARStats) May 3, 2015

This is Dale Jr.’s sixth win at Talladega, matching Jeff Gordon for the active lead.

He now all but locks up a spot in the Chase.

— NASCAR Stats (@NASCARStats) May 3, 2015

Performance Racing Network’s Doug Turnbull reported some of what Earnhardt had to say, as he implied some of the pressure is off now that his team finished first this week:

Earnhardt Jr. “We’re in the Chase now. Now we can call these races so different. More wins are on the way.”

— Fireball Turnbull (@DougTurnbull) May 3, 2015

Although he barely put a dent in the points advantage Harvick has, Johnson couldn’t have pictured himself running much better in the GEICO 500, per Team Lowe’s Racing:

On finishing 2nd, @JimmieJohnson says: “Very happy with the finish…I don’t know what I could have done differently for the win.” #lowes48

— Team Lowe’s Racing (@LowesRacing) May 3, 2015

On the strength of Sunday’s breakthrough triumph and multiple prior top-five finishes, Earnhardt has vaulted into the fourth position on the current Sprint Cup Chase grid.

Speaking of which, Martin Truex Jr. figures to grind out a win at some point. He has the highest point total of anyone without a victory, securing another strong finish Saturday by placing fifth.

It’s key for Truex to remain patient, though, it has to be frustrating that he’s had a number of close calls without getting the desired glory. There is still plenty of season left for him to lock up a spot in the Chase. If and when he does get that elusive win, he’ll experience a similar vault to what Earnhardt did following Talladega.

Steve Waid of PopularSpeed.com praised Truex among his main takeaways from Sunday’s action:

1. Jr Fans rejoice: He’s in! 2. Bravo, Ryan! 3. Again, Truex Jr. for real. 4. Johnson adds Hendrick glory. 5. Penalty kills Gordon. #nascar

— Steve Waid (@stevewaid) May 3, 2015

The NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule picks up at the SpongeBob SquarePants 400 next, where Jeff Gordon is the defending champion.

Gordon will seek to get redemption for this week’s disappointment, where he had his 80th pole but finished 31st. The veteran needs to mount some momentum as his career winds down.

Past winners at Kansas Speedway include Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin, though, so Gordon will have his work cut out for a repeat.

With the confidence Earnhardt, Harvick and Johnson have right now, they have to be considered threats every time they’re in action as well. Many of NASCAR’s stars will have a lot on the line this next Saturday, making the SpongeBob SquarePants 400 yet another must-see race.