Denny Hamlin secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase after finishing seventh at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, giving him a 25‑point advantage over Ryan Blaney and the strongest record on the tracks that comprise the postseason.
His Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has shown particular strength on high‑speed venues where downforce is critical, a factor that could prove decisive as the Chase moves toward its climax.
Team Penske, despite capturing four of the last six race wins, has struggled on the 1.5‑mile ovals that dominate the Chase schedule, a weakness highlighted by team president Michael Nelson, who said the organization needs to improve on those circuits.
Ryan Blaney’s victory at New Hampshire marked Penske’s fourth win in six races, yet the team’s recent form on longer tracks remains a concern heading into the final stretch.
Chase Outlook
The battle for the remaining two Chase positions is now centered on Austin Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen and Ryan Preece, who are vying for those spots as the season approaches its final race at Daytona International Speedway.
Adding to the uncertainty, NASCAR will debut new aerodynamic and horsepower regulations for the Daytona 400, eliminating practice sessions and forcing teams to adapt on the fly.
Meanwhile, Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry continues a top‑10 streak that includes finishes of seventh, fourth, eighth and third, as he seeks a full‑time Cup ride for 2027.