NASCAR Chase Field Set After Dramatic Daytona Finish
The 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase was locked in following the dramatic Daytona race on August 28, where the final twelve contenders were identified after a chaotic finish. Rajah Caruth erased a points deficit to climb to twelfth place, while Taylor Gray earned a Chase berth despite crossing the line in twenty‑sixth position. The race also saw separate crashes for Brent Crews and William Sawalich, while veteran Justin Allgaier showcased a strong season with six victories and a wealth of top‑ten finishes. Other notable performances included Carson Kvapil’s two wins for JR Motorsports, Sheldon Creed’s single triumph with Haas Factory Team, and the consistent outings of Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Corey Day, Sammy Smith, Parker Retzlaff and Sam Mayer, each contributing a mix of wins, top‑fives and top‑tens. Next week the Chase moves to Darlington Raceway, kicking off a seven‑race stretch that will test the momentum of these twelve drivers as they battle for the title.
