The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Sonoma Raceway event delivered a surprise twist as Tyler Reddick, who had held the points lead since the Daytona 500, was forced to finish 36th after a power‑steering failure.
Denny Hamlin, who placed 26th in the Toyota / Save Mart 350, capitalized on Reddick’s misfortune to move into the championship lead by a single point, reshaping the standings with just one race left before the playoffs.
A Turn of Fortune at Sonoma
The result also propelled Trackhouse forward, with Shane Van Gisbergen’s solid run lifting the team to 14th in the overall standings, while Ryan Preece and Austin Cindric held their positions above Erik Jones, who now sits as the first driver eliminated from the Chase.
Looking ahead, the series will travel to Chicagoland Speedway for the eero 400, a race that could further alter the playoff picture as teams adjust to the new points dynamics.