Daytona Drama: Five Drivers, Three Spots, One Last Chance—Who races into the 2026 Chase in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale?
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway to end its regular season, the Chase picture is nearly complete with five drivers fighting for three spots in the 16-car field.
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 23: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23, 2026, in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Ryan Blaney goes back-to-back with a NASCAR Cup Series win at New Hampshire; Denny Hamlin secures No. 1 Chase seedin the Dollar Tree 301.
LOUDON, N.H. – Under varying weather conditions, a rain delay, 40 laps driving on wet weather tires and then the race slowed nine times for caution flags before the bright sun emerged for the final run to the checkered flag, Ryan Blaney proved himself best again at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, hoisting his second consecutive giant lobster in Victory Lane and just as importantly making a bold statement about his Penske team’s intent to surge into the Chase an absolute championship favorite.
Max Reaves grabs ARCA Menards Series win at Springfield Mile after a late battle with Gavin Boschele on Saturday in the Calypso 100.
Max Reaves grabs ARCA Menards Series win at Springfield Mile after a late battle with Gavan Boschele on Saturday in the Calypso 100.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A shower of boos and an angry Gavan Boschele awaited Max Reaves in Victory Lane following Sunday’s Calypso 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 22: Layne Riggs, driver of the #34 BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22, 2026 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Layne Riggs wins NASCAR Truck Series; Tyler Ankrum claims last Chase berth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday in the EJP 175.
LOUDON, N.H. – Layne Riggs capped his 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season with his series-best sixth win of the year, claiming the Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon in a dramatic double overtime victory in the regular-season finale.