NASCAR Cup Series Standings After Darlington: Full Chase Points Update

NASCAR Cup Series Standings After Darlington: Full Chase Points Update

One race down, nine to go in NASCAR’s 2026 championship fight. The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway officially opened The Chase and immediately reshuffled the standings, although one thing hasn’t changed at the top: Denny Hamlin remains the driver everyone is chasing. Hamlin leaves Darlington with 2,135 points and a 12-point advantage over […]

Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington Chase race - RAW CHILI

After fighting back from some mid-race damage, Denny Hamlin leaves Darlington just 12 points clear of Southern 500 winner Christopher Bell.

Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026

Denny Hamlin leaves Darlington with a 12-point championship lead over Christopher Bell

Denny Hamlin's Chase Lead Takes Massive Blow After Darlington

Denny Hamlin’s quest to win an elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2026 got a little trickier following the Chase opener at Darlington Raceway. After disastrous contact with Michael McDowell in the final stage, the driver of the No. 11 wound up finishing 18th at “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” Hamlin entered the Chase with a 25-point lead over Ryan Blaney after winning the regular-season championship. Following Sunday night’s Cook Out…