Denny Hamlin clinches top seed in NASCAR Cup Series Chase
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 23, 2026, 10:57 PM
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
Denny Hamlin secured the top seed in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase following the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire on August 23. Ryan Preece finished ninth in the race, reducing his deficit to Shane van Gisbergen, who currently sits in the final playoff spot, to 31 points. Van Gisbergen and Austin Cindric had subpar finishes, significantly affecting their standings. With one race remaining in the regular season at Daytona, the competition for the final Chase position remains tight.
- •Denny Hamlin has 1,001 points, firmly locked into the Chase.
- •Ryan Preece is 31 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the final spot.
- •Austin Cindric finished 12th at New Hampshire.
- •25 of 26 regular-season races have been completed.
- •The season finale at Daytona will determine the last Chase participant.
- 10:57 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series Standings After New Hampshire: Chase Cut Line Tightens Before Daytona
- 10:44 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after New Hampshire race, Chase picture
"Ryan Blaney closed the gap on Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell climbed two positions and Ryan Preece moved closer to the Chase cut line. Here's how the NASCAR standings look with only Daytona remaining.
"Denny Hamlin clinched the NASCAR Cup Series Chase top seed after the Dollar Tree 301 on August 23 at New Hampshire.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 10:57 PMNASCAR Cup Series Standings After New Hampshire: Chase Cut Line Tightens Before Daytona
Ryan Blaney closed the gap on Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell climbed two positions and Ryan Preece moved closer to the Chase cut line. Here's how the NASCAR standings look with only Daytona remaining.
- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 10:44 PMNASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after New Hampshire race, Chase picture
Denny Hamlin clinched the NASCAR Cup Series Chase top seed after the Dollar Tree 301 on August 23 at New Hampshire.
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