Kyle Larson extends lead in NASCAR Cup points after Charlotte II
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Oct 12, 2026, 12:36 AM
Last updated Oct 12, 2026
Kyle Larson finished sixth at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Cup Series event on October 11, 2026, marking his worst finish of the Chase so far. Despite this, he increased his championship lead over Denny Hamlin to 49 points, adding nine points to his total. Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe also gained points, with Bell 51 points behind and Briscoe 65 points back. The standings remain tight as the Chase continues, building anticipation for the next race.
- •Kyle Larson finishes sixth at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- •Larson now leads Denny Hamlin by 49 points.
- •Christopher Bell is 51 points behind Larson.
- •Chase Briscoe trails by 65 points.
- •The Chase continues as the next race approaches.
- 12:54 AMRacer — Hamlin nabs a top five but calls it a 'lackluster day' as championship gap widens again
- 12:36 AMMotorsport.com — Denny Hamlin loses more ground to Kyle Larson: "We've got to execute better"
- 12:31 AMMotorsport.com — Kyle Larson takes firm command of NASCAR Cup Chase with four to go
- 11:34 PMMotorsport.com — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Charlotte II
"Even on a day that seemed on its face like a disappointment, Kyle Larson extended his points lead and is potentially four races away from a third NASCAR Cup Series championship. Denny Hamlin failed to score stage one points due to a penalty on pit road and Christopher Bell was unable to outduel Chase Briscoe to win the Bank of America 400 on Sunday afternoon. As a result, Larson leads Hamlin ...Keep reading
"The good news for Denny Hamlin is that he earned a top five finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while title rival Kyle Larson placed sixth. The bad news? He still lost ground in the championship, falling a further nine points behind Larson due to a lack of Stage 1 points. That was due to a pit road penalty, as a crew member fell over the wall trying to grab a tire that was rolling into the ...Keep reading
"Kyle Larson finished sixth at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and while that was his worst finish of the Chase so far, he still managed to extend his advantage over Denny Hamlin in the championship. He's now 49pts ahead, adding nine points to his total. However, both Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe gained some ground, Bell now 51pts back and Briscoe 65pts behind. With his second consecutive ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- RacerOct 12, 2026, 12:54 AMHamlin nabs a top five but calls it a 'lackluster day' as championship gap widens again
Denny Hamlin described his Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway as lackluster, an acknowledgment that came even with his result being fifth place.
- Motorsport.comOct 12, 2026, 12:36 AMDenny Hamlin loses more ground to Kyle Larson: "We've got to execute better"
The good news for Denny Hamlin is that he earned a top five finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while title rival Kyle Larson placed sixth. The bad news? He still lost ground in the championship, falling a further nine points behind Larson due to a lack of Stage 1 points. That was due to a pit road penalty, as a crew member fell over the wall trying to grab a tire that was rolling into the ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comOct 12, 2026, 12:31 AMKyle Larson takes firm command of NASCAR Cup Chase with four to go
Even on a day that seemed on its face like a disappointment, Kyle Larson extended his points lead and is potentially four races away from a third NASCAR Cup Series championship. Denny Hamlin failed to score stage one points due to a penalty on pit road and Christopher Bell was unable to outduel Chase Briscoe to win the Bank of America 400 on Sunday afternoon. As a result, Larson leads Hamlin ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comOct 11, 2026, 11:34 PMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Charlotte II
Kyle Larson finished sixth at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and while that was his worst finish of the Chase so far, he still managed to extend his advantage over Denny Hamlin in the championship. He's now 49pts ahead, adding nine points to his total. However, both Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe gained some ground, Bell now 51pts back and Briscoe 65pts behind. With his second consecutive ...Keep reading
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