Denny Hamlin maintains points lead after finishing 18th at Darlington
Motorsport.com • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 2:29 AM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
Denny Hamlin finished 18th in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, resulting in a narrowed lead in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase standings. Hamlin entered the event with a 25-point advantage but now holds a 12-point lead over Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell, who earned his first win of the season at the track. The race began with strong performance for Hamlin, who secured 16 stage points during the first two segments. A slow pit stop later mired the No. 11 Toyota in traffic, leading to heavy contact with Michael McDowell that damaged the car's toe links. Hamlin managed to stay on the lead lap after repairs during a caution period, preventing a total collapse of his championship lead. Had he failed to collect stage points, he would have surrendered the top spot in the standings to Bell.
- •Denny Hamlin finished 18th at Darlington Raceway after experiencing contact with Michael McDowell.
- •Christopher Bell earned his first win of the season at the Cook Out Southern 500.
- •Hamlin secured 16 stage points during the first half of the race.
- •The gap between leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Christopher Bell is now 12 points.
- 3:28 AMMotorsport.com — Denny Hamlin reacts to Michael McDowell run-in that derailed his day
- 2:29 AMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin’s Chase Lead Takes Massive Blow After Darlington
"The first race of the Chase did not go the way Denny Hamlin was hoping for on Saturday at Darlington. Heading into the Chase as the top car in the standings and the favorite to finally win his first championship, Hamlin was hoping to extend his lead on the field with a strong finish at the Track Too Tough to Tame. While the No. 11 ran out front to start the race, a poor pit stop later put ...Keep reading
"Denny Hamlin lost some of his advantage in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase standings after Darlington.
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 7, 2026, 3:28 AMDenny Hamlin reacts to Michael McDowell run-in that derailed his day
The first race of the Chase did not go the way Denny Hamlin was hoping for on Saturday at Darlington. Heading into the Chase as the top car in the standings and the favorite to finally win his first championship, Hamlin was hoping to extend his lead on the field with a strong finish at the Track Too Tough to Tame. While the No. 11 ran out front to start the race, a poor pit stop later put ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 2:29 AMDenny Hamlin’s Chase Lead Takes Massive Blow After Darlington
Denny Hamlin lost some of his advantage in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase standings after Darlington.
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