Denny Hamlin loses points lead in NASCAR Cup Championship
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 20, 2026, 4:14 PM
Last updated Sep 20, 2026
Denny Hamlin has dropped from the points lead in the NASCAR Cup Championship, which he held after winning it on June 28 at Sonoma. This marked a significant lead for him, reaching over 100 points before the Chase reset. Following the reset, Tyler Reddick took over the lead, with Kyle Larson now in first place. Hamlin commented on the team's need for improvement in performance as they continue through the championship series.
- •Hamlin led the points until the Chase reset.
- •Reddick currently leads the NASCAR Cup championship.
- •Larson has now taken over the championship lead.
- •Hamlin emphasizes the need to improve performance.
- 4:14 PMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin’s Months-Long Grip on NASCAR Points Lead Is Finally Over
- 12:52 PMMotorsport.com — Denny Hamlin loses points lead and says "we have to get to running a little bit better"
"Race #1 - Race #17: Reddick leads NASCAR Cup championship Race #18 - Race #28: Hamlin leads NASCAR Cup championship Race #29 - ?: Larson leads NASCAR Cup championship After taking the points lead at Sonoma on June 28, Denny Hamlin has firmly held onto the top spot, even reaching a triple-digit points lead at one point before the Chase reset. He started the ten-race Chase with a ...Keep reading
"Denny Hamlin's nearly three-month run atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings ended at Bristol, where Kyle Larson took over the championship lead by the smallest possible margin.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2026, 4:14 PMDenny Hamlin’s Months-Long Grip on NASCAR Points Lead Is Finally Over
Denny Hamlin's nearly three-month run atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings ended at Bristol, where Kyle Larson took over the championship lead by the smallest possible margin.
- Motorsport.comSep 20, 2026, 12:52 PMDenny Hamlin loses points lead and says "we have to get to running a little bit better"
Race #1 - Race #17: Reddick leads NASCAR Cup championship Race #18 - Race #28: Hamlin leads NASCAR Cup championship Race #29 - ?: Larson leads NASCAR Cup championship After taking the points lead at Sonoma on June 28, Denny Hamlin has firmly held onto the top spot, even reaching a triple-digit points lead at one point before the Chase reset. He started the ten-race Chase with a ...Keep reading
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