NASCAR sets Chase field after Ryan Preece's victory at Daytona
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 4:46 AM
Last updated Aug 30, 2026
The field for NASCAR's Chase is confirmed with 16 drivers, including Denny Hamlin and Ryan Preece, set to compete. This 10-race postseason begins on September 6 at Darlington, following Preece's overtime win at Daytona, which secured him a spot. The Chase format emphasizes consistency over single-race wins, marking a shift from previous playoff formats. Hamlin leads the points standings entering the postseason, while Preece claims the last position in the Chase with his first career win.
- •Ryan Preece won at Daytona, securing final Chase spot.
- •Denny Hamlin enters as top seed after a strong season.
- •Chase features 16 drivers competing over 10 races.
- •First race of the Chase is the Southern 500 at Darlington on Sept. 6.
- •Chase includes six Toyotas, five Fords, and five Chevrolets.
- 5:53 PMMotorsport.com — Darlington NASCAR Viewer's Guide: Everything you need to know for the Southern 500
- 4:46 AMYahoo Sports — Who is in the Chase? NASCAR’s postseason field from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
"16 drivers have locked themselves into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the championship, and now only 100 points separates them. Denny Hamlin is the No. 1 seed, while Ryan Preece is the No. 16 seed after a dramatic win at Daytona. The first of ten battlegrounds will be the historic Darlington Raceway, and the 2026 edition of the Southern 500. The History and Track Dimensions for ...Keep reading
"The field for NASCAR's Chase is set. 16 drivers, from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece, will compete in the 10-race postseason which begins at Darlington.
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 31, 2026, 5:53 PMDarlington NASCAR Viewer's Guide: Everything you need to know for the Southern 500
16 drivers have locked themselves into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the championship, and now only 100 points separates them. Denny Hamlin is the No. 1 seed, while Ryan Preece is the No. 16 seed after a dramatic win at Daytona. The first of ten battlegrounds will be the historic Darlington Raceway, and the 2026 edition of the Southern 500. The History and Track Dimensions for ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 4:46 AMWho is in the Chase? NASCAR’s postseason field from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
The field for NASCAR's Chase is set. 16 drivers, from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece, will compete in the 10-race postseason which begins at Darlington.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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