
Hamlin Leads the Chase as Penske Eyes Longer Tracks
Denny Hamlin’s four wins and 25‑point lead set the stage for a competitive Chase, while Team Penske aims to sharpen its performance on longer tracks.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Josh Berry across Nascar.

Denny Hamlin’s four wins and 25‑point lead set the stage for a competitive Chase, while Team Penske aims to sharpen its performance on longer tracks.

Denny Hamlin’s strong finish at New Hampshire propels him to the top seed entering the NASCAR Chase, while Team Penske must improve on longer ovals. With Austin Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen and Ryan Preece vying for the last two spots, the stage is set for a dramatic playoff.

Denny Hamlin entered the playoffs as the top seed, bolstered by a strong record on high‑speed ovals and a four‑win season, while Team Penske battles to improve on mile‑and‑a‑half tracks ahead of the decisive Chase schedule.

Denny Hamlin’s strong points tally and four wins position him as the top seed, yet challenges remain on the tracks where rivals have historically excelled.

Ryan Blaney captured his third victory of the 2026 season in a rain‑delayed race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Denny Hamlin secured the regular‑season title.

Denny Hamlin holds a 25‑point advantage after a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire, while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates and rivals gear up for the final stretch.

Ryan Blaney overcame an early pit‑road mishap and a strategic tire call to win the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, edging Bubba Wallace by just over half a second.

Hamlin’s strong performance on high‑speed circuits and a 25‑point advantage set the stage for a showdown that will decide the final Chase spots.

Ryan Blaney turned a pit road error into a decisive advantage at New Hampshire, leveraging a two‑tire strategy and strong crew coordination to claim the second stage and his third win of the season.

Josh Berry's record 73‑lap lead at New Hampshire and four consecutive top‑ten finishes have positioned him as a key figure in NASCAR's evolving landscape, even as his team plans a 2027 replacement.

Denny Hamlin’s strong start to the NASCAR Chase, bolstered by recent wins and a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire, puts him at the top of the standings, but Team Penske’s performance on 1.5‑mile ovals remains a key storyline.

Denny Hamlin’s seventh‑place run at New Hampshire secures the top seed in the NASCAR Chase, while Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney looks to extend its short‑track advantage. With new regulations looming for the Daytona 400 and a handful of drivers battling for the final spots, the championship picture remains fluid.

Denny Hamlin enters the NASCAR Chase as the top seed, holding a 25‑point advantage and a strong record on high‑speed ovals. Meanwhile, Team Penske’s recent setbacks on 1.5‑mile tracks and new Daytona rules add intrigue to the upcoming races.

Denny Hamlin secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. His Joe Gibbs Racing team has four wins this season, and he sees the Toyota's aerodynamic strength on high‑speed ovals as a decisive advantage. While Team Penske has dominated on tracks a mile or shorter, its performance on 1.5‑mile venues has been limited, prompting President Michael Nelson to acknowledge the need for improvement. Hamlin's consistency on short tracks, the locked top‑13 positions, and the tight battle for the final two playoff spots add further intrigue, especially with new Daytona regulations that eliminate practice sessions.

Denny Hamlin entered the NASCAR Chase as the top seed after a seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, holding a 25‑point lead over Ryan Blaney as the season heads into its decisive final ten races.

Contract talks between Austin Hill and Richard Childress Racing have hit a snag, casting uncertainty over the driver’s full‑time Cup Series plans for 2027. Meanwhile, teammate Josh Berry’s recent form and the team’s limited roster options add pressure to the decision.

Denny Hamlin’s seventh‑place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase, giving him a 25‑point lead as the season heads into its final stretch.

Denny Hamlin’s victory at New Hampshire propelled him to the top seed in the NASCAR Chase, while his Joe Gibbs Racing squad enjoys a 25‑point advantage. Meanwhile, Team Penske faces hurdles on longer ovals, and a handful of drivers battle for the remaining spots as new rules add uncertainty to Daytona.

Ryan Blaney overcame a pit‑crew error to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire, leading 115 laps and edging Bubba Wallace by 0.586 seconds. The performance highlights a pivotal tire strategy by crew chief Jonathan Hassler and sets the stage for a dramatic showdown at Daytona.

The weekend combined high‑octane racing with fan‑focused activities, highlighting both on‑track competition and off‑track community engagement.

Ryan Blaney’s latest victory and Denny Hamlin’s regular‑season triumph highlight a pivotal week for Team Penske and the upcoming Daytona finale.

Ryan Blaney secured his second consecutive Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while crew chief Billy Plourde’s regional roots and the No. 51 team’s struggle highlighted the race’s contrasting narratives.

Ryan Blaney clinches his second consecutive win at New Hampshire, cementing Team Penske’s short‑track supremacy as the NASCAR Cup Series heads toward the Daytona finale.

NASCAR’s newest driver, Josh Berry, has quickly become a cornerstone for Wood Brothers Racing, delivering consistent top‑10 results and helping shatter a long‑standing winning streak.