
NASCAR’s daring superspeedway experiment lands at Daytona without practice
NASCAR’s new superspeedway package debuts at Daytona’s final regular‑season race without practice, sparking driver safety concerns and playoff implications.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Preece across Nascar.

NASCAR’s new superspeedway package debuts at Daytona’s final regular‑season race without practice, sparking driver safety concerns and playoff implications.

A look at the upcoming Daytona International Speedway event, where Cup and O’Reilly Series drivers will battle under a fresh rules package, with metric scores determining the order and several surprise entries on the grid.

With only three playoff positions left, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski vie for a spot, while Denny Hamlin tops the points standings but will not receive a regular‑season trophy.

William Byron is the favorite at +850 odds for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, while Ryan Preece hopes to force his way into the Chase with a strong performance.

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.

NASCAR removes points resets, locks the top sixteen based on regular‑season standings, adjusts bonus allocations, and sets the stage for a decisive showdown at Daytona.
As the 2027 Cup Series approaches its final regular‑season race at Daytona, Denny Hamlin tops the standings, Ryan Preece faces a points penalty, and a new playoff format promises a tighter championship battle.

Despite finishing second, Bubba Wallace’s sizable points lead ensures a playoff berth, but the fight for the final positions remains finely balanced.

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.

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’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.

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.

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’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.
The 2026 NASCAR season culminates with a high‑stakes race at Daytona, where ticket sales begin at $63 and drivers jostle for playoff positioning.

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.