Ryan Blaney claws to NASCAR Cup New Hampshire victory over Bubba Wallace

At the 2026 NASCAR Cup race in New Hampshire, Denny Hamlin secured his place as the first seed in the Chase by leading the pack with a substantial 77-point advantage over the race winner, Ryan Blaney. This margin of 77 points is sufficient to guarantee Hamlin's spot in the Chase, making him the clear leader of the pack.

The top 13 drivers have all secured their Chase spots, with the remaining 23 drivers fighting for the remaining spots. Bubba Wallace, currently in 14th place, has a significant 75-point cushion over the cut-line, which is virtually unassailable even with the maximum of 76 points available in a single race.

Austin Cindric, ranked 15th, is 44 points above the cut-line, putting him in a strong position to secure a Chase spot. Shane van Gisbergen's position remains uncertain, as he stands on the bubble, trailing by just 31 points from the driver with the least chance of making the Chase – Ryan Preece. Preece's margin over van Gisbergen is a mere 6 points, with a gap of 31 points separating them.

Interestingly, there is only a six-point difference between the top owners, emphasizing the financial aspect of the championship. Ryan Preece is the only driver with a realistic chance of climbing above the cut-line at Daytona, as Ross Chastain's disappointing last-place finish eliminates him from the running. Although Kyle Busch scored 217 points before his tragic passing, he is no longer included in the weekly driver standings due to NASCAR's decision.