The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series is entering its penultimate event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and the stakes have never been higher. Eight drivers entered the race needing to stay within 76 points of the playoff cut line, but only two remain in contention after a cascade of eliminations.
Ross Chastain, Erik Jones, Michael McDowell, A.J. Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith saw their championship dreams evaporate, with Chastain falling 81 points behind after a DNF. The field now narrows to Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski, both fighting to avoid missing the postseason.
The Numbers Behind Keselowski’s Must‑Win Situation
Brad Keselowski sits 66 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the 16th and final playoff spot. As the only active former NASCAR Cup Series champion in danger of exclusion, his only realistic path to qualification is a race win coupled with a strong stage‑point haul.
Ryan Preece, meanwhile, is 31 points behind van Gisbergen and 44 points behind Austin Cindric. A mid‑May penalty at Texas Motor Speedway could have pushed Preece just six points below the cutoff, making every point in New Hampshire critical.
Playoff Field Already Set for Most Teams
Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, together with Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, have already secured their playoff positions, removing them from the battle. This leaves only Preece and Keselowski to battle for the last slot.
The upcoming race will therefore serve as a de facto championship decider for the final playoff entrant, with the entire sport watching to see whether Keselowski can rewrite his season narrative with a victory at Loudon.