Denny Hamlin holds Cup Series points lead after chaotic Gateway race
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 14, 2026, 3:37 AM
Last updated Sep 14, 2026
Denny Hamlin retained the NASCAR Cup points lead following the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway on Sept. 13. Hamlin finished ninth but managed to avoid significant incidents during the race, which featured 18 cautions due to various crashes. Kyle Larson secured the victory and moved to second in the standings, marking his first win in over a year. The updated points standings show Hamlin at 2,168 points, with Larson close behind at 2,159. This race was the second of ten in the Chase.
- •Kyle Larson wins the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway.
- •Denny Hamlin finishes ninth to maintain Cup Series lead.
- •The race experienced 18 cautions due to accidents and failures.
- •Hamlin leads the standings with 2,168 points, followed by Larson.
- •This race marks the second of ten in the Chase for the championship.
- 3:37 AMMotorsport.com — The NASCAR Cup Series Chase comes into focus after chaotic Gateway
- 3:37 AMYahoo Sports — The NASCAR Cup Series Chase comes into focus after chaotic Gateway
- 1:21 AMYahoo Sports — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Gateway
- 1:21 AMMotorsport.com — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Gateway
- 11:18 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Gateway race, Chase picture
"After a dizzying NASCAR Cup race at WWT Raceway with a track record 18 cautions, Denny Hamlin still holds onto the championship lead, but he's just nine points ahead. Kyle Larson was the biggest mover, jumping five positions after earning his first victory in 51 races, now right behind Hamlin in the battle for the lead. Southern 500 winner Christopher Bell is now 18 points back in third The ...Keep reading
"Ultimately, the beauty of the new Chase for the Championship format is that is that with enough wins and stage points, no deficit is ultimately insurmountable and no points lead is safe. However. On Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, several mulligans were utilized and there very well could have been numerous eliminations even if that is not a thing the Cup Series literally does ...Keep reading
"The Chase continues with a wild race at WWT Raceway, but Denny Hamlin is still holding on to the points lead by a threat
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 14, 2026, 3:37 AMThe NASCAR Cup Series Chase comes into focus after chaotic Gateway
Ultimately, the beauty of the new Chase for the Championship format is that is that with enough wins and stage points, no deficit is ultimately insurmountable and no points lead is safe. However. On Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, several mulligans were utilized and there very well could have been numerous eliminations even if that is not a thing the Cup Series literally does ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 3:37 AMThe NASCAR Cup Series Chase comes into focus after chaotic Gateway
Denny Hamlin has backed into keeping his points lead for now
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 1:21 AMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Gateway
The Chase continues with a wild race at WWT Raceway, but Denny Hamlin is still holding on to the points lead by a threat
- Motorsport.comSep 14, 2026, 1:21 AMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Gateway
After a dizzying NASCAR Cup race at WWT Raceway with a track record 18 cautions, Denny Hamlin still holds onto the championship lead, but he's just nine points ahead. Kyle Larson was the biggest mover, jumping five positions after earning his first victory in 51 races, now right behind Hamlin in the battle for the lead. Southern 500 winner Christopher Bell is now 18 points back in third The ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 11:18 PMNASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Gateway race, Chase picture
Kyle Larson moved to second in the NASCAR points standings after winning the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sept. 13 at Gateway.
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