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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase opens with the Daytona race on September 6, reducing the field to 16 drivers. Recent streaks by Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano, plus the rise of Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs, create uncertainty over who will dominate the final ten races.
Ryan Blaney overcame an early pit‑road mishap and a strategic tire call to win the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, edging Bubba Wallace by just over half a second.
Hamlin’s strong performance on high‑speed circuits and a 25‑point advantage set the stage for a showdown that will decide the final Chase spots.
From a blank‑roofed car to a Talladega winner, Carson Hocevar and his Spire team have turned obscurity into a championship‑bound story in just three seasons.
An engine blowout after 41 laps at New Hampshire left Ross Chastain at the rear of the field, extending his winless streak and threatening his playoff prospects. Team Trackhouse Racing now looks to Shane van Gisbergen’s bubble position for a possible Chase lifeline.
Ryan Blaney turned a pit road error into a decisive advantage at New Hampshire, leveraging a two‑tire strategy and strong crew coordination to claim the second stage and his third win of the season.
After a strong 2026 season, Austin Hill has locked in a full‑season deal for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series, taking the wheel of the No. 33 car and securing the future of a program that has become central to his racing identity.
Carson Hocevar, the 23‑year‑old driver of the No. 77 Chevrolet, shares how his team’s evolution from the bottom of the points table to a competitive playoff position has shaped his career and upcoming Daytona showdown.
Josh Berry's record 73‑lap lead at New Hampshire and four consecutive top‑ten finishes have positioned him as a key figure in NASCAR's evolving landscape, even as his team plans a 2027 replacement.
Denny Hamlin’s strong start to the NASCAR Chase, bolstered by recent wins and a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire, puts him at the top of the standings, but Team Penske’s performance on 1.5‑mile ovals remains a key storyline.
Denny Hamlin’s seventh‑place run at New Hampshire secures the top seed in the NASCAR Chase, while Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney looks to extend its short‑track advantage. With new regulations looming for the Daytona 400 and a handful of drivers battling for the final spots, the championship picture remains fluid.
Denny Hamlin enters the NASCAR Chase as the top seed, holding a 25‑point advantage and a strong record on high‑speed ovals. Meanwhile, Team Penske’s recent setbacks on 1.5‑mile tracks and new Daytona rules add intrigue to the upcoming races.
Ross Chastain’s 2026 NASCAR playoff aspirations were abruptly halted at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when his engine blew out after just 41 laps, forcing the veteran driver to retire from the Dollar Tree 301 and leaving Shane van Gisbergen as the primary contender for the final playoff spots at Daytona.
Denny Hamlin secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. His Joe Gibbs Racing team has four wins this season, and he sees the Toyota's aerodynamic strength on high‑speed ovals as a decisive advantage. While Team Penske has dominated on tracks a mile or shorter, its performance on 1.5‑mile venues has been limited, prompting President Michael Nelson to acknowledge the need for improvement. Hamlin's consistency on short tracks, the locked top‑13 positions, and the tight battle for the final two playoff spots add further intrigue, especially with new Daytona regulations that eliminate practice sessions.
Denny Hamlin entered the NASCAR Chase as the top seed after a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, holding a 25‑point lead over Ryan Blaney as the season heads into its decisive final ten races.
After a season of fifteen Cup starts without a top‑10 finish, Austin Hill will compete full‑time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing in 2027, driving the iconic No. 33 Chevrolet.
Contract talks between Austin Hill and Richard Childress Racing have hit a snag, casting uncertainty over the driver’s full‑time Cup Series plans for 2027. Meanwhile, teammate Josh Berry’s recent form and the team’s limited roster options add pressure to the decision.
Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet full‑time for Richard Childress Racing, bringing a record of 16 Cup victories and a Championship 4 appearance to the storied organization.
Denny Hamlin’s seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase, giving him a 25‑point lead as the season heads into its final stretch.
Denny Hamlin’s victory at New Hampshire propelled him to the top seed in the NASCAR Chase, while his Joe Gibbs Racing squad enjoys a 25‑point advantage. Meanwhile, Team Penske faces hurdles on longer ovals, and a handful of drivers battle for the remaining spots as new rules add uncertainty to Daytona.
Denny Hamlin, the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase, is confident in his title challenge against a resurging Team Penske, whose drivers Ryan Blaney and William Byron have been delivering strong performances at key races.
Austin Hill will pilot the iconic No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2027, bringing a championship pedigree and a proven record on drafting tracks to the team.
Rockingham Speedway will not host NASCAR events in 2027, raising questions about its ownership, finances, and the broader implications for historic American racetracks.
This weekend the Daytona International Speedway hosts the last chance for drivers to lock in playoff positions before the playoffs begin.