Kyle Larson holds a 49-point advantage over Denny Hamlin in the 2026 Cup Series standings with four races remaining, according to NASCAR.com. Following the latest postseason event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson maintains a series-best average finish of 2.8 through six Chase races despite finishing sixth in the race.
The postseason standings shift as drivers prepare for Sunday’s race at Phoenix Raceway, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Chase Briscoe enters the weekend with consecutive victories, having secured a 0.029-second win over Christopher Bell at Charlotte.
Kyle Larson Extends Postseason Lead Despite Late Charlotte Contact
Larson led 97 laps and won Stage 1 at Charlotte before contact from Hamlin on a restart dropped him to seventh. He fought to a sixth-place finish, which actually expanded his championship lead over the rest of the field.
Briscoe has gained 58 points on Larson over the last two races, narrowing his deficit to 65 points. Briscoe’s No. 19 pit crew recorded the three fastest stops of the afternoon at Charlotte, propelling the team to the top of the season-long pit crew rankings.
Christopher Bell Chases After Eighth Second-Place Finish
Christopher Bell secured his eighth second-place finish of the 2026 season at Charlotte, leading 93 laps and winning Stage 2. NASCAR Insights rated the No. 20 car first in speed and defense during the event before Briscoe’s pit crew captured the lead during the final 61 laps.
Bell sits 51 points behind Larson in the standings heading to Phoenix, a track where he won the spring races in 2024 and 2025 and led 176 laps this March before finishing second.
Denny Hamlin Faces Pressure After Costly Penalties
Denny Hamlin finished fifth at Charlotte despite a pit-road safety violation and an awkward stop that required him to back up in his stall. He lost another nine points to Larson and trails by 49 points with four races left in the Chase.
Hamlin recorded two top-five finishes in the first six Chase races after dominating the regular season. NASCAR Insights ranks the No. 11 car first in season-long speed, but the team faces mounting pressure following late-race errors.
Ryan Blaney and Contenders Navigate the Chase Grid
Tyler Reddick finished eighth at Charlotte after contact with Austin Cindric and a brush with the wall, leaving him 114 points behind the leader. Joey Logano recovered from early contact with Ty Gibbs to finish ninth, maintaining a position 92 points back from Larson.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the next Cup Series Chase race?
The race takes place at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, with live coverage on USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
How many points is Kyle Larson ahead in the standings?
Larson leads Denny Hamlin by 49 points and Chase Briscoe by 65 points with four races remaining in the postseason.
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