Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- Logano Strikes Again: Joey Logano held off Chase Briscoe at Richmond Raceway to secure his second win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, solidifying his spot in the 16-driver post-season field.
- New NASCAR Format: Under the revised 2026 structure, the playoffs have been replaced by “The Chase”—a 10-race final stretch among the top 16 drivers in points following the 26-race regular season.
- Two Races Remaining: With 11 different race winners through 24 events (10 eligible for full-time contention), only two races remain—New Hampshire and Daytona—before the Chase kicks off at Darlington on September 6.
Joey Logano held off a late charge from Chase Briscoe to win the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway this past Sunday. With the victory, the three-time champion claimed his second triumph of the 2026 season and further cemented his position inside the top-16 point standings advancing to the championship finale. With just two races remaining in the regular season, the battle for the Chase spots continues to tighten.
Following the abolition of the elimination-style playoff format, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series operates under a revamped system: at the end of a 26-race regular season, the top 16 drivers in total points advance to “The Chase,” a 10-race stretch to conclude the year. The driver who accumulates the most points across those final ten events will be crowned the series champion.
Through 24 completed events, the 2026 season has produced 11 different race winners:
- Tyler Reddick [Daytona, Atlanta, COTA, Darlington, Kansas]
- Denny Hamlin [Las Vegas, Nashville, Michigan, Pocono]
- Ryan Blaney [Phoenix, Atlanta 2]
- Chase Elliott [Martinsville, Texas]
- Ty Gibbs [Bristol, Iowa]
- Shane van Gisbergen [Watkins Glen, Sonoma]
- Joey Logano [North Wilkesboro, Richmond]
- Carson Hocevar [Talladega]
- Daniel Suárez [Charlotte]
- Chase Briscoe [Chicagoland]
- Corey Heim [San Diego, Indianapolis]
(Note: Corey Heim, who won at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, does not compete full-time in the Cup Series and is therefore ineligible for the Chase.)
Two regular season races remain before the Chase officially begins at Darlington Raceway on September 6. From there, the title contenders will race through Gateway, Bristol, Kansas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville, and Homestead-Miami to determine the champion.
NASCAR Cup Series action resumes this coming weekend with the penultimate regular-season race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
NASCAR 2026: Chase Standings After Richmond
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Wins | Points |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) | 4 | 969 |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske (Ford) | 2 | 854 |
| 3 | Ty Gibbs | Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) | 2 | 842 |
| 4 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing (Toyota) | 5 | 831 |
| 5 | Chase Briscoe | Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) | 1 | 715 |
| 6 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet) | 2 | 695 |
| 7 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) | 0 | 695 |
| 8 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet) | 0 | 660 |
| 9 | Joey Logano | Team Penske (Ford) | 2 | 659 |
| 10 | Chris Buescher | RFK Racing (Ford) | 0 | 653 |
| 11 | Carson Hocevar | Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet) | 1 | 645 |
| 12 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet) | 0 | 630 |
| 13 | Daniel Suárez | Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet) | 1 | 618 |
| 14 | Bubba Wallace | 23XI Racing (Toyota) | 0 | 587 |
| 15 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske (Ford) | 0 | 574 |
| 16 | Shane van Gisbergen | Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet) | 2 | 567 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does “The Chase” format work in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series?
The 2026 format replaces the traditional elimination playoffs. After 26 regular-season races, the top 16 drivers in points qualify for a 10-race stretch (“The Chase”), where the driver with the highest total points at the end of the season wins the championship.
Why is Corey Heim ineligible for the 2026 Chase despite winning two races?
Corey Heim competes part-time in the Cup Series and does not declare for Cup Series driver points, making him ineligible for postseason qualification.
When does the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase start?
The Chase begins on September 6, 2026, with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
