2011 NASCAR Points Standings: Trevor Bayne Wins Daytona 500, But Carl Edwards Leads Sprint Cup

Trevor Bayne just become the youngest driver to ever win the Daytona 500, but won't be earning any points towards the Sprint Cup standings. Since he knew he wouldn't be guaranteed a full slate of races in the Sprint Cup, he chose to earn points in the Nationwide Series instead.

Carl Edwards is the driver who benefits most from Bayne's loss, becoming the first Sprint Cup points leader of 2011, with 42. He's followed close behind by David Gilliland and Bobby Labonte's 41 and Kurt Busch's 40.

It's a shame, but the 43 Sprint Cup points Bayne would've won will disappear into the sports ether, eventually emerging as new BCS college football rules. The rule which prevents Nationwide drivers from earning Sprint Cup points was installed to prevent ringers from cleaning up in the Nationwide Series, though it might be time to amend the rule to make it possible for Nationwide drivers to earn Sprint Cup points.

1. Carl Edwards, 42
2. David Gilliland and Bobby Labonte, 41
3. Kurt Busch, 40
4. Juan Montoya, 39
5. Tony Stewart and Regan Smith, 37
6. Kyle Busch, 36
7. Paul Menard, 35
8. A.J. Allmendinger, 34
9. David Ragan and Mark Martin, 32
10. Robby Gordon, 31
11. Bill Elliot, 29
12. Clint Bowyer, 28
13. Jamie McMurray, 27
14. Martin Truex Jr., 25
15. Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman, 24
16. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Joey Logano, 21
17. Dave Blaney, 20
18. Kasey Kahne, 18
19. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, 17
20. Brad Keselowski, 16
21. David Reutimann, 14
22. Brian Vickers, 13
23. Andy Lally, 11
24. Matt Kenseth, 10
25. Greg Biffle and Jeff Burton, 9
26. Marcos Ambrose, 7
27. Michael Waltrip, 4
28. Brian Keselowski and Kevin Harvick, 3
29. J.J. Yeley, 1