The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are kicking off this Sunday at Darlington Raceway, and Denny Hamlin is already coming out swinging with a massive lead. This guy topped the regular season points standings, and he’s starting the Chase with a 100-point difference between himself and Ryan Preece, who’s holding down 16th place. Sixteen drivers are about to throw down over ten races between this Sunday and November 8 to see who takes home that championship trophy.
The Chase Is Back, Baby, and The Points Are WILD
NASCAR just went old school, bringing back the Chase playoff format from a decade ago. Sixteen drivers, all qualified by being in the top 16 of the regular-season points standings, are in it to win it. The best part? No eliminations during these playoffs! That means every race, every point, every stage, matters from the jump. Denny Hamlin leads the pack with 2,100 points to start, followed by Ryan Blaney with 2,075, and Tyler Reddick at 2,065. After Reddick, it’s a five-point drop for every position, so those top spots are gold. And don’t forget the winner of each postseason race snags 55 points, while second gets 35, third gets 34, and so on. Stage points are still in play too, with 10 points for winning a stage for the top ten drivers. Oh, and the champ pockets an extra $1 million. Talk about stakes!
Favorites Are Flexing, But Don’t Count Out a Dark Horse
When you look at consistency, it’s tough to bet against Hamlin, Blaney, and Reddick. Hamlin and Blaney each finished inside the top ten a ridiculous 17 times this season, and they are the only two drivers on the entire Cup Series circuit to lead over 800 laps. Reddick is leading the whole series with five wins, which translates to huge points. But keep an eye on Joey Logano. This three-time Cup Series champion starts in ninth, but he and Blaney are the only drivers with multiple wins over the last two months. Logano’s been a force, finishing inside the top 15 in seven of his last eight starts. With no eliminations, Logano could absolutely make a steady push. Still, trying to catch Hamlin, especially with that consistency and his burning desire to win his first-ever Cup Series title, is gonna be a massive challenge.
So, get ready! The Southern 500 kicks off at Darlington this Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on USA. It’s the first step on the road to the Cup Series Championship Race on November 8 at Homestead-Miami. This title is wide open, and with Hamlin’s fire, this is going to be one wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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