NASCAR's 2026 Chase: 16 Drivers, 10 Races, One Champion
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship is wide open. After the regular season points reset, 16 drivers enter a 10-race Chase with just 100 points separating first from last. There are no eliminations this year. The driver with the most points after the final 10 races takes the title.
The Chase kicks off at Darlington and winds through St. Louis, Bristol, Kansas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville, and wraps up at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Denny Hamlin Leads the Field
Denny Hamlin enters the Chase with 2,100 points, 25 ahead of second place. He has won at all 10 Chase tracks during his career and boasts the third-best average finish at Homestead, including seven top fives in 21 starts there.
But there's a catch. Hamlin has never won a Cup Series title, and at Homestead he would be older than every champion in NASCAR history. The question remains whether he can finally break through.
Ryan Blaney Sits Second
Ryan Blaney trails Hamlin by 25 points with 2,075. He and Ty Gibbs have earned the most stage points this year, which could prove decisive in this format. Blaney should also be strong at Phoenix and Martinsville, two of the final four races.
The concern for Blaney is the Penske intermediate program, which has not matched the Toyotas this season.
William Byron Rounds Out the Top Three
William Byron sits third with 2,065 points. He has won at Darlington and Kansas this year, both Chase tracks. Byron has shown he can go on a roll, but he has lost momentum after an incredible start that saw him hold a 100-point lead earlier in the season.
Ty Gibbs: Young Gun with a Shot
Ty Gibbs is fourth with 2,060 points. He earns plenty of stage points and now knows how to win Cup races. But he would be the youngest champion in NASCAR history, and he must beat his teammate Denny Hamlin straight up over 10 races.
Chase Briscoe and the Middle of the Pack
Chase Briscoe sits fifth with 2,055 points. He has won the last two Southern 500s at Darlington, so he could open the Chase strong. Inconsistency, however, could plague his team.
Christopher Bell is sixth with 2,050 points. He has posted the most top-five finishes of his career, which should help in this format. But he may need a win to seal the deal.
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott Looking for Speed
Kyle Larson sits seventh with 2,045 points. He won the 2025 title without a Chase win, but this is a different system. He has not shown the consistent speed he has had in past years, and his aggressive driving style can lead to mistakes.
Chase Elliott is eighth with 2,040 points. He can quietly stack solid finishes, but like Larson, he has lacked consistent speed this season.
Joey Logano and the Even-Year Factor
Joey Logano is ninth with 2,035 points. It is an even year, and Logano tends to perform when it matters most. He will need a much better showing on intermediate tracks to contend.
Alex Bowman is 10th with 2,030 points. He rarely gets rattled and rarely makes mistakes, but his team has not had the speed to overcome any misfortune.
The Rest of the Chase Field
Here is a look at the remaining drivers and their chances:
- Tyler Reddick (11th, 2,025 points): This is his best regular-season points position in four years. He has confidence, but has not been up front enough to challenge.
- Bubba Wallace (12th, 2,020 points): He has an attitude that he will take the title from the field. The field is determined not to let him.
- William Byron's teammate Alex Bowman (13th, 2,015 points): Byron appears unflappable, but he has led only 31 laps all season. That will not get it done.
- Christopher Bell's teammate Martin Truex Jr. (14th, 2,010 points): He has a Toyota and will be strong at most tracks, but has not put together consistent results.
- Ross Chastain (15th, 2,005 points): He stays out of trouble and could capitalize if others falter. But he did not clinch a Chase spot until Daytona, a sign he lacks week-to-week speed.
- Ryan Preece (16th, 2,000 points): After winning Daytona, he feels he can do anything. But he was a bubble driver for a reason, and drivers rarely make that big a jump in the final 10 races.
What to Watch in the 2026 Chase
The new format rewards consistency over a single race. Stage points will be crucial, as will avoiding bad days at tracks like Talladega, where a crash can end a title bid.
With only 100 points separating the field, every position matters. The championship will likely come down to the final race at Homestead, where the pressure will be at its peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2026 NASCAR Chase format work?
The 2026 Chase features 16 drivers competing over 10 races with no eliminations. The driver with the most points after the final race at Homestead wins the championship.
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 NASCAR championship?
Denny Hamlin enters as the points leader, but the field is tightly packed. Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs are all within striking distance.
Which tracks are in the 2026 NASCAR Chase?
The Chase includes Darlington, St. Louis, Bristol, Kansas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Why are stage points so important in the Chase?
With only 100 points separating the 16 drivers, stage points can make the difference between advancing and falling behind. Drivers who consistently earn stage points put themselves in the best position to win the title.