The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are here. 

The 16-driver field will be reduced over 10 races until one true champion remains. It all begins Sunday with the Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

A win in the playoffs automatically advances a driver to the next round and adds five points to his playoff points total. A stage win earns one playoff point to be added in the following round.

Martin Truex Jr. doesn't need any help padding his playoff lead but he will be seeking his second straight win at the 1.5-mile Illinois track. Truex, who leads the Cup Series in average running position (7.7), driver rating (114.3), fastest laps run (976, 16%) and laps led (1,646, 22.3%), is the favorite to capture his first Cup title, while Jimmie Johnson will be seeking his eighth. 

The Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series will join the Cup Series for a tripleheader weekend at Chicagoland. The Xfinity and Truck Series will set their playoff fields in Chicago while the Cup Series kicks off its Round of 16. 

Here's how the Cup Series standings shake out entering the first playoff race. 

1. Truex (leader), 2. Kyle Larson (20 points behind Truex), 3. Kyle Busch (-24), 4. Brad Keselowski (-34), 5. Jimmie Johnson (-36), 6. Kevin Harvick (-38), 7. Denny Hamlin (-40), 8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (-43), 9. Ryan Blaney (-45), 10. Chase Elliott (-47), 11. Ryan Newman (-48), 12. Kurt Busch (-48), 13. Kasey Kahne (-48), 14. Austin Dillon (-48), 15. Matt Kenseth (-48), 16. Jamie McMurray (-50).

NASCAR at Chicago schedule, TV channel info

(All times ET)

Thursday, Sept. 14

3:30-4:25 p.m.: Truck Series practice 
6:30-7:25 p.m.: Truck Series final practice

Friday, Sept. 15

12:30-1:55 p.m.: Cup Series practice, NBCSN 
2-2:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series practice, NBCSN 
4-4:50 p.m.: Xfinity Series final practice, NBC Sports App 
5:05 p.m.: Truck Series qualifying, FS1 
6:45 p.m.:  Cup Series qualifying, NBCSN 
8:30 p.m.: Truck Series TheHouse.com 225 (150 laps, 225 miles), FS1 

Saturday, Sept. 16

11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Cup Series practice, CNBC 
12:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN
2-2:50 p.m.: Cup Series final practice, NBCSN 
3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series TheHouse.com 300 (200 laps, 300 miles), NBCSN 

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Chicago on?

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway begins at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 17, and can be seen on NBC Sports Network and the NBC Sports app. 

What are the stage lengths for NASCAR's Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland?

The Tales of the Turtles 400, which is 267 laps and 400.5 miles, will be broken into three segments: Stage 1 ends on Lap 80, Stage 2 ends on Lap 160 and the final stage ends on Lap 267. 

Which NASCAR Cup Series drivers are racing in the playoffs at Chicago?

There are 40 Cup drivers entered in Sunday's race, meaning all drivers will make the race with Friday's qualifying setting their starting positions. Here is the list of participating Cup drivers in alphabetical order by first name: