Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Joey Logano across Nascar.
Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup Series win after a dramatic overtime finish at Daytona International Speedway, while Shane van Gisbergen and Brad Keselowski saw their championship hopes eliminated.
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.
The latest points standings reflect a dramatic shift after the Coke Zero Sugar 400, with several contenders jockeying for position as the season heads into its final stretch.
Ryan Preece's Daytona victory secures his playoff berth as Denny Hamlin leads the points standings, while The Chase begins at Darlington with several drivers carrying negative totals.
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.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season concluded at Daytona, setting the stage for a 16‑driver playoff battle led by Denny Hamlin.
Austin Cindric’s sixth‑place run at Daytona, bolstered by a 44‑point cushion, earned him a playoff spot, while teammates Blaney and Logano also advanced and Shane van Gisbergen’s championship hopes fell short.
As the 2026 season progresses, fifteen drivers sit within a narrow points window, setting the stage for a dramatic championship showdown.
Brad Keselowski faces a must‑win scenario at Daytona International Speedway to clinch a playoff berth, while teammate Ryan Preece is viewed as the more probable contender. The race unfolds under new engine and aerodynamic regulations, a shifted playoff format, and personal storylines that add layers of drama.
Ross Chastain secured pole position with a top speed of 184.396 mph, while Chris Buescher qualified second. The race, the final event of the 2026 regular season, will be broadcast live on NBC for the first time, showcasing a full field of drivers from teams such as Trackhouse Racing, RFK Racing, Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29 will decide the final playoff spots, with Ross Chastain on pole and Ryan Preece facing a make‑or‑break showdown.
Analysts weigh recent upsets, driver form and the chaotic dynamics of Daytona as the 2026 Coke Zero Sugar 400 approaches.
Brad Keselowski faces a must‑win scenario at Daytona to stay alive in the playoffs, while Ryan Preece looks more likely to advance. The race pits five drivers against three remaining spots amid new engine and aerodynamic rules, with surprise storylines and betting favorites shaping the narrative.
Brad Keselowski faces a make-or-break moment at Daytona International Speedway, where five drivers contest the last three playoff berths amid sweeping technical changes and personal dramas.
Ross Chastain’s dominant qualifying performance at Daytona International Speedway sets the stage for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, the last chance for drivers to lock in a spot in the upcoming Chase.
Brad Keselowski seeks a miracle at Daytona International Speedway, while Ryan Preece emerges as the favorite among five contenders vying for the final three playoff positions in a race reshaped by new technical regulations.
Ross Chastain secured the pole for the Daytona finale with a record lap, while the playoff landscape shifts toward season‑long performance.
With the Coke Zero Sugar 400 looming, Austin Cindric’s 44‑point lead positions him to clinch a playoff berth, while Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are already secured.
Ross Chastain posted a 48.808‑second lap to win the pole for Daytona’s season finale, a feat that could reshape the playoff picture and set the stage for next year’s championship.
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.
Ross Chastain secured pole position after a two‑round qualifying format, while Gray Gaulding was ruled the slowest and left out of the 40‑car field. The race, scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, marks the final regular‑season event before the playoffs.
Ross Chastain claimed pole position for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, edging Chris Buescher by a fraction of a second, while the race will determine critical playoff spots and feature a full slate of top drivers.