NASCAR drivers battle for final playoff spots ahead of New Hampshire race

With only two races remaining in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the battle for the final spots in The Chase is intensifying. Drivers are competing for the top 16 positions to become eligible for the championship playoffs.

Ryan Preece, driving the No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, currently sits in 17th place, 50 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, who holds the final transfer position in 16th. Preece is looking to leverage his experience at his home track, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, to close the gap.

The upcoming schedule features two vastly different challenges: the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. While New Hampshire rewards precision and tire management on a flat surface, Daytona offers a high-risk superspeedway environment that could significantly alter the standings.