Denny Hamlin secures No. 1 seed in NASCAR Chase after New Hampshire
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 23, 2026, 11:40 PM
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
Denny Hamlin finished at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a 77-point lead over race winner Ryan Blaney. With this lead, Hamlin secured the No. 1 seed for the Chase. The top 13 drivers in the NASCAR Cup championship standings have clinched spots for the upcoming playoff. Bubba Wallace holds the 14th position, 75 points above the cutoff, approaching the next race at Daytona. The potential maximum points to be earned in a single race stands at 76.
- •Hamlin leads the standings with a 77-point advantage.
- •Blaney claimed victory at New Hampshire.
- •Top 13 drivers have secured playoff positions.
- •Wallace is 75 points above the cutoff line.
- •Next race takes place at Daytona.
- 11:40 PMMotorsport.com — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after New Hampshire 2026
- 11:40 PMYahoo Sports — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after New Hampshire 2026
"Denny Hamlin leaves New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a 77-point lead over race winner Ryan Blaney, which is enough for him to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Chase. The top 13 drivers in the championship standings have all clinched Chase spots now. Going into Daytona, Bubba Wallace in 14th will be 75 points up, which is basically safe with a maximum of 76 points possible in a single race. Austin ...Keep reading
"Hamlin has clinched the No. 1 seed, while the battle for the final Chase spot will be decided at Daytona next weekend
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 23, 2026, 11:40 PMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after New Hampshire 2026
Denny Hamlin leaves New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a 77-point lead over race winner Ryan Blaney, which is enough for him to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Chase. The top 13 drivers in the championship standings have all clinched Chase spots now. Going into Daytona, Bubba Wallace in 14th will be 75 points up, which is basically safe with a maximum of 76 points possible in a single race. Austin ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 11:40 PMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after New Hampshire 2026
Hamlin has clinched the No. 1 seed, while the battle for the final Chase spot will be decided at Daytona next weekend
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