Denny Hamlin's lead dwindles as Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell gain ground
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 4:38 PM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Denny Hamlin's lead in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase has diminished significantly after two races. Although he ended the regular season with an 89-point cushion, a poor finish of 18th at Darlington and a ninth-place finish at St. Louis have reduced his advantage to just nine points over Kyle Larson, who won at St. Louis. Christopher Bell's recent victory at the Southern 500 has also bolstered his status in the championship standings. The next races at Bristol and Kansas may present opportunities for Hamlin to regain control as he looks to stabilize his performance amid increasing pressure from Larson and Bell.
- •Hamlin finished ninth at St. Louis, scoring only 33 points.
- •Larson is now second in the standings, trailing by nine points.
- •Bell's victory at the Southern 500 has put him in third place.
- •Hamlin previously held an 89-point lead after the regular season.
- •Races at Bristol and Kansas are upcoming, where Hamlin has historically performed well.
- 4:38 PMYahoo Sports — “Doesn’t Have to Win Another Race”- NASCAR Analyst Sound the Alarm on Denny Hamlin’s Chase Hopes With Blunt Kyle Larson Claim
- 4:28 PMYahoo Sports — Kyle Larson surges to second in NASCAR postseason Chase heading to Bristol track he’s dominated
- 1:10 AMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin’s Lead is Shrinking Fast — and The Chase Field is Catching Up
"After a timely win in NASCAR’s Chase, Kyle Larson only is nine points behind postseason leader Denny Hamlin and within striking distance of a second straight Cup Series title.
"A dominant regular season gives way to postseason pressure as Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell surge, leaving the veteran No. 11 team clinging to a razor-thin advantage.
"Denny Hamlin had a clear advantage when the Chase began at Darlington. A buffer of 25 points, along with tracks on the schedule where he has run well historically.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:38 PM“Doesn’t Have to Win Another Race”- NASCAR Analyst Sound the Alarm on Denny Hamlin’s Chase Hopes With Blunt Kyle Larson Claim
Denny Hamlin had a clear advantage when the Chase began at Darlington. A buffer of 25 points, along with tracks on the schedule where he has run well historically.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:28 PMKyle Larson surges to second in NASCAR postseason Chase heading to Bristol track he’s dominated
After a timely win in NASCAR’s Chase, Kyle Larson only is nine points behind postseason leader Denny Hamlin and within striking distance of a second straight Cup Series title.
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 1:10 AMDenny Hamlin’s Lead is Shrinking Fast — and The Chase Field is Catching Up
A dominant regular season gives way to postseason pressure as Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell surge, leaving the veteran No. 11 team clinging to a razor-thin advantage.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 4:50 AMBubba Wallace Is Tired Of Being A Teammate Until 23XI Needs Him To Be One
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 4:40 AMShane Van Gisbergen Has Changed NASCAR, But The Sport Still Needs To Prove He Can Win Anywhere
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 4:40 AMNASCAR’s Martinsville Playoff Race Could Get Ugly Fast, And That Is Exactly What The Sport Needs
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 4:38 AMNASCAR Cup Series Preview: Kyle Larson Eyes Championship at Martinsville
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 2:18 AMFrom DeSoto Speedway to CARS Tour: The Freedom Factory’s Return to Short Track Racing
NASCAR•Oct 29, 2026, 2:11 AMJesse Love and Justin Allgaier Separated by Just 19 Points Heading Into Martinsville