Denny Hamlin takes NASCAR Cup points lead after Sonoma race
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 11:38 PM
Last updated Jun 28, 2026
Denny Hamlin has emerged as the new championship leader in the NASCAR Cup Series following the Sonoma race on June 28, 2026. Hamlin's 26th-place finish, combined with Tyler Reddick's last-place result due to a power steering failure, allowed him to surpass Reddick by one point. Reddick had previously held the lead since the start of the season. The race saw Shane van Gisbergen win and jump three positions in the standings, now sitting 14th in the playoff race. Erikk Jones fell three spots to 17th and is now outside the Chase cutoff.
- •Hamlin leads the standings with 719 points after 18 races.
- •Reddick drops to second with 718 points, marking his first loss of the lead.
- •Shane van Gisbergen wins at Sonoma, moving to 14th in standings.
- •Erik Jones falls to 17th and outside the Chase position.
- •The NASCAR Cup Series consists of 36 races, with 18 remaining.
- 11:38 PMMotorsport.com — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Sonoma 2026
- 11:38 PMYahoo Sports — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Sonoma 2026
"After 18 of 36 races, we have a new NASCAR Cup Series championship leader for the very first time, and it came about in messy fashion. A power steering failure for Tyler Reddick left him with a last-place finish, while Denny Hamlin struggled with splitter damage after a late-race spin, finishing 26th. While Reddick secured the fastest lap bonus, Hamlin's result was enough to erase the ...Keep reading
"Tyler Reddick has lost control of the championship lead for the first time this year, now just one point behind Denny Hamlin
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJun 28, 2026, 11:38 PMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after Sonoma 2026
After 18 of 36 races, we have a new NASCAR Cup Series championship leader for the very first time, and it came about in messy fashion. A power steering failure for Tyler Reddick left him with a last-place finish, while Denny Hamlin struggled with splitter damage after a late-race spin, finishing 26th. While Reddick secured the fastest lap bonus, Hamlin's result was enough to erase the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJun 28, 2026, 11:38 PMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after Sonoma 2026
Tyler Reddick has lost control of the championship lead for the first time this year, now just one point behind Denny Hamlin
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