Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Gateway Raceway across Nascar.
If the playoffs were removed, Christopher Bell would climb to second behind Denny Hamlin, while the points structure would reflect a continuous season rather than a reset.
After a dominant run that included six wins and a regular‑season title, William Byron has struggled in 2026, with an engine failure at Darlington and a 13‑month winless stretch leaving him 114 points behind Denny Hamlin.
Bell’s triumph at Darlington marks a pivotal moment in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase.
Christopher Bell broke his 33‑race winless streak by winning the Southern 500 at Darlington, moving into second place in the 2026 Chase, just 12 points behind Denny Hamlin.
Bell broke his lengthy winless run with a late‑race pass on Larson, while Hamlin holds the points lead heading into the final stretch.
Natalie Decker made a surprise return to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Daytona in 2025, but confirmed she will not race in NASCAR for the remainder of the 2026 season, while Logan Bearden steps into the No. 42 Chevrolet and Young's Motorsports finalizes only two of eight remaining driver spots.
After an 118‑race absence triggered by a domestic‑violence charge, Gray Gaulding is set to re‑enter the Cup Series at Daytona, joining Carl Long’s Garage 66 for the season‑ending race.
Joey Logano's second win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at Richmond Raceway highlights a tightly contested championship battle.