NASCAR Chase Field Set After Dramatic Daytona Finish
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase lineup is taking shape after the Coke Zero 400, with Preece’s maiden win and Cindric’s sixth‑place finish earning them spots, while Hamlin holds a 25‑point lead.
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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase lineup is taking shape after the Coke Zero 400, with Preece’s maiden win and Cindric’s sixth‑place finish earning them spots, while Hamlin holds a 25‑point lead.
Ryan Preece finally broke through at Daytona, winning a race reshaped by multiple wrecks and securing a spot in the season playoffs.

Ryan Preece’s debut Cup win at Daytona, secured under a caution‑flag twist, not only saved his season but also knocked out Shane van Gisbergen from playoff contention, highlighting the high stakes of the new playoff format.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs were decided in dramatic fashion at Daytona International Speedway, where a tangled finish forced officials to reset the points standings and reshuffle the championship field. Denny Hamlin emerged as the top seed, carrying a 2100‑point tally that positions him ahead of all rivals as the series heads into the final stretch. In a surprise turn, Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup win, a result that not only adds a new name to the winner’s list but also secures his spot as the final driver to qualify for the 2026 Chase. The victory came after a review of the race’s chaotic conclusion, which saw several drivers battling for position in the closing laps. Officials adjusted the finishing order, promoting Kyle Larson ahead of Chase Elliott in the revised standings. Following the reset, the 16‑driver Chase field now reflects a blend of veteran talent and emerging drivers. Points were recalibrated to reflect the new finishing order, with Larson’s move to second place pushing Elliott down a spot. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports each placed multiple drivers inside the top ten, underscoring the strength of their programs. Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe represent Joe Gibbs Racing, while Christopher Bell and William Byron feature prominently for Hendrick. Spire Motorsports and RFK Racing also fielded two entries each, ensuring a diverse lineup that includes drivers from a range of organizations such as 23XI Racing and Team Penske. The updated grid sets the stage for a tightly contested championship race, with Hamlin’s lead, Preece’s breakthrough win, and the reshuffled point order promising fierce competition in the weeks ahead.

Brad Keselowski faces steep penalties and a steep points deficit as the NASCAR Cup Series heads into its season‑ending race at Daytona International Speedway, where new aerodynamic regulations and looming thunderstorms add further uncertainty to the playoff battle.

Ross Chastain claimed pole position at Daytona International Speedway with a blistering lap of 48.809 seconds, edging out Chris Buescher by a narrow margin. The qualifying session highlighted strong performances from Austin Hill, Ryan Preece and several open‑car drivers, while Gray Gaulding missed the grid due to mechanical trouble.

Ross Chastain claimed pole position at Daytona, sharing the front row with Chris Buescher and praising Trackhouse Racing for resolving engine issues.

A dramatic qualifying session at Daytona saw multiple teams and drivers jockey for position ahead of the Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar 400.
NASCAR’s final playoff qualifier at Daytona International Speedway will see 41 entries contesting 40 positions, with a 31‑point lead for Shane van Gisbergen over Ryan Preece heading into the weekend’s action.

With only one race left to set the 2026 Cup Series playoffs, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski are locked in a points duel that could reshape the postseason.

A sudden thunderstorm forecast has put Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series qualifying in jeopardy, prompting a metric‑based lineup that could reshape the season‑ending race.

A look at the major driver contract updates, retirements, and roster shifts set to define NASCAR's 2027 season.

Trackhouse Racing is overhauling its No. 97 pit crew for the season‑ending race at Daytona, tapping nearly the entire crew from A.J. Allmendinger’s No. 16 team. The move comes as Shane van Gisbergen clings to a 31‑point lead over Ryan Preece in the driver standings, while RFK Racing’s No. 60 Ford sits just six points behind in the owner race.

As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway, the last three Chase positions will be decided in a race defined by unpredictability, team momentum and the ever‑present chance of a last‑lap pass.

Ryan Blaney’s third victory of the season propels him toward Daytona, while Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and a host of rising talents shape the competitive race for the Championship.

With only two drivers left in the battle for the final playoff spot, Brad Keselowski’s championship hopes hinge on a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Ryan Preece clings to a slim points margin.

Ryan Blaney overcame an early pit‑road error to lead 115 laps and win the NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Bubba Wallace finished second and Josh Berry third.

The penultimate race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will determine playoff seeding as the Chase approaches, with top teams and drivers vying for championship momentum.
Tyler Reddick captured pole position with a lap of 29.054 seconds, while Josh Berry qualified second. The race will be broadcast on USA Network with streaming on HBO Max and SiriusXM.
The Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23 will decide the last spots in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, featuring pole‑sitter Tyler Reddick, Josh Berry’s bid for a fourth straight top‑10, and a crowded chase battle.
The 2026 Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will crown the last regular‑season points before the Chase, featuring a deep driver field, a pole‑position battle and extensive broadcast coverage.

Bell, Blaney and Preece battle for playoff positioning at New Hampshire, where precision, momentum and a revamped points system will shape the season’s final stretch.
Qualifying for the New Hampshire Cup race will determine key points moves ahead of the final regular‑season stretch.

NASCAR’s blend of teamwork and competition reaches a peak when drivers find themselves racing against their own owners, a situation that shapes strategies, standings, and the fight for a playoff spot.