
NASCAR’s 2026 Chase Kicks Off at Darlington with Preece’s Playoff Spot
Ryan Preece clinches the final playoff spot as the 2026 Chase begins at Darlington, with Denny Hamlin leading the regular‑season standings.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Preece across Nascar.

Ryan Preece clinches the final playoff spot as the 2026 Chase begins at Darlington, with Denny Hamlin leading the regular‑season standings.
NASCAR altered the aerodynamic package for the Daytona 500‑style event, cutting spoiler height and power output. While some drivers praised the added racing dynamics, others warned of tighter competition and difficulty in passing.

Ryan Preece clinches his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona in a dramatic overtime finish, securing a Chase spot while Shane van Gisbergen’s championship hopes evaporate.

Ryan Preece’s victory at Daytona, aided by a 25‑point penalty reversal, lifts him into the playoffs, while Austin Cindric holds his spot and Shane van Gisbergen falls out, prompting mixed reactions to the sport’s new aerodynamic package ahead of the Southern 500 at Darlington.

Ryan Preece overcame a 31‑point deficit to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, clinching his inaugural playoff spot and highlighting his resilience after a near‑career‑ending crash three years earlier.

The 2025 Cup Series playoffs have switched to a ten‑race format, reshaping the path to the championship. Drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick headline a field where team execution and track‑specific strengths could prove decisive.

Ryan Preece captured the Daytona International Speedway finale, clinching a spot in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase and pushing Shane van Gisbergen out of the field. The result reshapes the championship picture, with Denny Hamlin leading the points and a host of Joe Gibbs Racing drivers featuring prominently.

Ryan Preece clinched the final playoff spot in a chaotic Daytona race, while Hollywood prepares a sequel that revisits the sport's iconic legacy.
Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona on August 29, 2025, clinching a Chase berth and a shot at the season title. The dramatic finish also marked the exit of Shane van Gisbergen from the playoff picture.

After a multicar crash reshaped the stage at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan Preece capitalized on the caution to claim his maiden Cup win, leapfrog into the playoffs, and ignite a new storyline for RFK Racing.

Ryan Preece clinched the last playoff berth in a chaotic Daytona finale, while Tom Cruise revealed a Cole Trickle sequel and Jimmie Johnson unveiled his 2027 Daytona 500 livery.

Ryan Preece finally broke through after 249 starts, delivering a decisive performance that pushed Shane van Gisbergen out of the championship hunt. The race’s pivotal moments and point dynamics reshaped the playoff picture.

After a race filled with multiple cautions and 41 lead changes, Ryan Preece claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, finishing ahead of Daniel Suarez and Tyler Reddick.
Ryan Preece avoided early damage, capitalized on a late crash to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400, earning 55 points and the last playoff spot, while Tom Cruise hinted at a 'Days of Thunder' reboot.
After 248 starts without a points‑paying win, Ryan Preece captured the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, clinching the final playoff spot and silencing his critics.

Ryan Preece’s maiden Cup win at Daytona not only crowns a thrilling finale but also secures his spot in the upcoming playoffs, while Dominic Aragon provides insight into the race’s key moments.

A Saturday night showdown at Daytona International Speedway saw Ryan Preece take the checkered flag, while Denny Hamlin’s top‑10 run kept his championship hopes alive. With only five drivers contesting three playoff spots, the stage is set for a dramatic climax at Darlington Raceway.

Ryan Preece’s overtime victory at Daytona secured the last playoff berth and two Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing entries, while Shane van Gisbergen’s late‑race gamble cost him a spot and Tom Cruise announced a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel

NASCAR announced a package for its Daytona superspeedway events that shortens the rear spoiler and reduces engine output, aiming to curb fuel-saving tactics and improve passing, but driver reactions reveal mixed views on the package’s effectiveness.

The regular season concluded at Daytona with Denny Hamlin topping the standings, Ryan Preece securing his maiden victory, and a compressed points gap setting the stage for a fierce postseason.

Ryan Preece secured the win in the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 on August 29, 2026, after a caution‑controlled climax that saw Daniel Suarez finish second.
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.

Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona International Speedway, edging Zane Smith on the final lap to claim the 16th and final spot in the season‑ending Chase.