Stage Wins and Lap Leaders
The 2026 Dollar Tree 301 got underway under bright summer skies at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with William Byron leading the first 24 laps before Shane Van Gisbergen seized the front on lap 26.
Stage 1 concluded with Kyle Larson taking the checkered flag, edging out Christopher Bell by a modest 1.208 seconds, a result that set the tone for a competitive mid‑race.
Stage 2 saw Ryan Blaney dominate, extending a 1.259‑second advantage over Josh Berry at the stage break, a performance that highlighted his growing momentum.
Throughout the event, lap leadership shifted frequently: Blaney logged the most laps led at 105, while Shane Van Gisbergen once held the lead for 30 circuits before being overtaken, and Berry later commanded 73 laps in the closing stages.
The race’s fastest laps came from two different drivers: Carson Hocevar posted a blistering 29.812‑second lap on lap 143, and Christopher Bell followed closely with a 29.846‑second effort on lap 61.
Multiple caution periods punctuated the action, with incidents involving Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch and Riley Herbst bringing the yellow flags out and requiring lifts before racing resumed.
In the final stretch, Bubba Wallace briefly claimed the lead on lap 210 after Berry’s streak ended, but Blaney reclaimed position and held firm, crossing the finish line 0.715 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
The result not only awarded Blaney the victory but also reshaped the playoff picture, underscoring the unpredictable nature of short‑track racing and the fine margins that define it.