{
  "id": 12427305,
  "title": "NASCAR Predictions: Picks for Who Wins Final 5 Races in The Chase, Cup Series Champion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/nascar-predictions-picks-for-who-wins-final-5-races-in-the-chase-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T17:14:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nascar-predictions-picks-wins-final-171450819.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series enters the final stretch, it's time for predictions on who will emerge victorious in the last five races during The Chase. Bank of America 400 (Charlotte) on October 4th sees Denny Hamlin, currently 40 points behind Kyle Larson, fighting for redemption. After securing the pole at Las Vegas, Hamlin is expected to use his momentum to secure a win and close the gap, earning over 70 points.\n\nThe next crucial race is the Freeway Insurance 500 (Phoenix) on March 8th, where Ryan Blaney, trailing by more than 80 points, must win to erase his deficit. Blaney has won consecutive races here, including a fall race overshadowed by the championship, with 74 out of 75 stage points. A victory at Phoenix will narrow his deficit significantly in The Chase.\n\nTalladega's YellaWood 500 on September 27th could be the stage for another Carson Hocevar victory. Spire Motorsports have made it clear that points are secondary, and Hocevar's goal is simply to win again, potentially tying him with Corey Heim's two Cup Series wins in 2026. With aggressive driving, Hocevar may secure victory at Dega.\n\nJoey Logano, despite not being expected to win The Chase this year, aims to turn heads at Martinsville. After a close finish at Phoenix, Logano, in his home track, seeks to finally make it to victory lane, as he has not done so since 2018. His win at Martinsville, held on March 29th, would be the first of his career, capping off the season with 75 points and potentially securing him the 2026 Cup Series championship.",
  "summary": "We’re now past the halfway point in the 10-race chase, with only five races remaining in the season for the […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Denny Hamlin aims to close 40-point gap at Bank of America 400 on October 4th.",
    "Ryan Blaney must win Freeway Insurance 500 on March 8th to erase 80-point deficit.",
    "Carson Hocevar targets victory at Talladega's YellaWood 500 on September 27th."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}