The NASCAR Cup Series Chase is officially underway, and the opening race at Darlington Raceway immediately changed the championship picture.
After a wild Southern 500, Denny Hamlin remains atop the standings, but Christopher Bell’s victory moved him from sixth to second and put him right in the middle of the championship fight. With nine races remaining, the battle for the 2026 Cup Series championship is already heating up.
Hamlin Holds the Lead
Despite a difficult night at Darlington, Denny Hamlin managed to keep the championship lead.
Hamlin finished 18th after dealing with several issues during the race, including contact that sent him into the outside wall. He now sits at 2,135 points, just 12 points ahead of Bell.
For Hamlin, the important thing was simply surviving.
He still has the advantage heading into the second Chase race at Gateway.
Bell Makes the Biggest Move
Christopher Bell was the biggest winner in the standings.
Bell entered the Chase sixth in points but jumped all the way to second after winning the Southern 500. His victory was especially important because it ended a 33-race winless streak and gave him his first victory of the 2026 season.
Bell now trails Hamlin by just 12 points.
After coming so close to Victory Lane throughout the season, Bell finally delivered when the stakes were at their highest.
Blaney and Reddick Stay in the Fight
Ryan Blaney remains third in the standings, just 16 points behind Hamlin.
Tyler Reddick sits fourth, 24 points behind the leader. Reddick had a strong night at his home track, winning Stage 1 and finishing third in the race.
Chase Briscoe rounds out the top five, sitting 37 points behind Hamlin.
Ty Gibbs also moved into the top six after finishing second at Darlington, giving Joe Gibbs Racing three drivers inside the top six.
The Full Chase Picture
The current championship standings after Darlington are:
- Denny Hamlin — 2,135
- Christopher Bell — 2,123 (-12)
- Ryan Blaney — 2,119 (-16)
- Tyler Reddick — 2,111 (-24)
- Chase Briscoe — 2,098 (-37)
- Ty Gibbs — 2,096 (-39)
- Kyle Larson — 2,086 (-49)
- Joey Logano — 2,063 (-72)
- Chase Elliott — 2,063 (-72)
- Bubba Wallace — 2,054 (-81)
- Chris Buescher — 2,047 (-88)
- Carson Hocevar — 2,046 (-89)
- Daniel Suarez — 2,041 (-94)
- Austin Cindric — 2,033 (-102)
- Ryan Preece — 2,031 (-104)
- William Byron — 2,021
The Championship Fight Is Just Beginning
Darlington was only the first of 10 Chase races, meaning there is still plenty of time for the standings to completely change.
Hamlin may have the lead, but Bell is only 12 points back. Blaney and Reddick are also within striking distance, while Larson, Briscoe and Gibbs remain firmly in the championship hunt.
One race is down, and the 2026 NASCAR championship battle is already looking like it could go down to the wire.