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3 clusters · 22 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

NASCAR Cup Series playoff qualification race

Overview

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season is nearing its conclusion, with seven drivers—Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, and Christopher Bell—having already clinched positions in the post-season Chase.

As the series moved through New Hampshire and toward Daytona, the battle for the remaining spots intensified. Following the Richmond race, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano were positioned to secure their places, needing only 10 and 11 points respectively. In the fight for the final transfer position, Bubba Wallace held a slim 20-point lead over Shane van Gisbergen, who occupied 16th place.

Heading into the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, only three positions remain to be decided. Shane van Gisbergen continues to hold the final playoff spot, while Ryan Preece trails by 31 points.

During qualifying for the regular-season finale, Ross Chastain secured the pole position with a time of 48.808 seconds, marking his first pole of the 2026 season. He will start alongside Chris Buescher, who qualified second. Austin Hill secured third, followed by Ryan Preece in fourth and Riley Herbst in fifth. The top ten also includes Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson.

The session also marked the debut of a new NASCAR rules package involving aerodynamic changes and reduced power. Notably, Ty Gibbs was granted a second qualifying attempt following an official error by NASCAR, allowing him to improve his starting position.

Entities

NASCAR · Shane van Gisbergen · Kyle Larson · Joey Logano · Christopher Bell

Timeline

  1. 15 days ago

    [SPORTS] 16 sources
    Ross Chastain wins Daytona pole for NASCAR regular-season finale

    Ross Chastain won the pole for the NASCAR Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. The race serves as the regular-season finale, with several drivers fighting for the final spots in the postseason Chase.

  2. 23 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    NASCAR drivers battle for final playoff spots ahead of New Hampshire race

    NASCAR drivers face a critical two-race stretch at New Hampshire and Daytona to secure a top 16 spot for The Chase, with Ryan Preece and Shane van Gisbergen battling for the final playoff position.

  3. 26 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    NASCAR Chase standings tighten with seven drivers clinched

    Seven drivers have clinched spots in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase. Nine positions remain open as the regular season enters its final two races at New Hampshire and Daytona.

Sources

1470kyyw.com · autoweek.com · essentiallysports.com · fanbuzz.com · hearingloss.org · heavy.com · hindi.sportskeeda.com · ilpallonegonfiato.it · lasvegassportsbetting.com · leadlap.de · lethbridgeherald.com · motorsport.uol.com.br · newsday.com · racingnews.co · rotoballer.com · si.com · speedwaydigest.com · sportsnaut.com · theathletic.com · theracingexperts.com · vsin.com · winnipegfreepress.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history