It is 2026, and if you just typed "nascar point standings monster energy" into a search bar, you're definitely not alone, but you are a little bit stuck in the past. Honestly, it's understandable. NASCAR changes its sponsorship and points rules almost as often as drivers change tires during a green-flag pit stop.
For three years, from 2017 to 2019, the sport was officially the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. That branding was everywhere—the green claw was plastered on every leaderboard, every victory lane hat, and every official points update. But today? The series has moved on to a "Premier Partner" model involving brands like Busch Light and Coca-Cola. Monster Energy is still a massive presence on the track, mostly seen on the sides of cars for guys like Ty Gibbs and Riley Herbst, but they don't own the name of the standings anymore.
The 2026 Points Shakeup: What You’re Actually Looking For
If you are looking for the current "Monster Energy" era standings, what you actually want is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series "The Chase" Standings.
As of January 13, 2026, the garage is still buzzing from the massive announcement made just yesterday. NASCAR has officially killed the elimination-style playoffs that we’ve dealt with since 2014. No more "Round of 16" or "Round of 8." No more "win and you're in."
Basically, they went back to the future.
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The sport has returned to a 10-race postseason format called The Chase. It looks a lot like what we had in the mid-2000s, but with a few modern twists.
How the Points Work Now (The 55-Point Win)
For years, a win was worth 40 points. That’s gone. To make sure drivers don't just "points-race" their way to a title, NASCAR jacked up the value of a victory.
- 1st Place: 55 points (plus any stage points)
- 2nd Place: 35 points
- 3rd Place: 34 points
- ...and it drops by one point per position down the line.
The 20-point gap between first and second is huge. It’s designed to stop teams from playing it safe. If you want to lead the NASCAR point standings, you have to actually win the race.
Who is Leading Right Now?
Since we are only 13 days into 2026, the "standings" are technically blank for the official season, but the projections and the way the field is set for the Daytona 500 on February 15th are already the talk of the town.
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Based on the 2025 closing performance—where Kyle Larson took the title—many fans are still looking at the Hendrick Motorsports guys to dominate. William Byron finished last year strong, and in the early 2026 projections, he’s the odds-on favorite to be the points leader heading into the spring.
The Monster Energy Drivers to Watch
Even though Monster Energy doesn't sponsor the whole series, they sponsor specific drivers who are constant threats in the standings:
- Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Toyota): He’s the face of Monster in the Cup Series. He’s young, aggressive, and finally has the experience to stay at the top of the points list for a full 36-race stretch.
- Riley Herbst (No. 35 Toyota): Moving up with 23XI Racing, Herbst carries the Monster Energy banner into 2026. Keep an eye on his consistency; in this new "Chase" format, staying in the top 10 is more important than a lucky one-off win.
Why the "Monster Energy" Search Still Exists
The reason you probably searched for "Monster Energy" standings is that it was the last time the points felt "stable." During those three years, the stage racing system was born. Fans got used to seeing that green logo next to the points.
Also, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the Monster Energy Cup (the dirt bike race) often confuse the Google algorithm. If you were looking for dirt bikes, you’re in the wrong lane—this is all about 3,400-pound stock cars.
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The 10-Race Chase: A Return to Sanity?
The most common complaint from 2014 to 2025 was that a driver could dominate the whole year, have one bad night at Phoenix in the finale, and lose the championship.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell admitted yesterday that the "tide had turned in the garage." The new 2026 format for the NASCAR point standings aims to fix this.
- Top 16 Qualify: Only the top 16 in total points after 26 races make the postseason.
- No Eliminations: Once the Chase starts, all 16 drivers compete for 10 straight races.
- The Point Reset: The points leader after Race 26 starts the Chase with 2,100 points. Second place gets 2,075. Third gets 2,065. It’s a staggered start that rewards your performance over the first six months of the year.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the standings this year, stop looking for the "Monster Energy" title and start looking for the regular-season points total.
- Track the 55-point gap: When watching a race, remember that the difference between 1st and 2nd is now essentially two full races worth of "per-position" points.
- Watch the "Bubble": Since wins don't guarantee a playoff spot anymore, the battle for 16th place in the standings is going to be brutal by the time we get to the summer months.
- Check the Manufacturer Standings: Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing/23XI) and Chevy (Hendrick/Trackhouse) are currently neck-and-neck in the 2026 preseason power rankings.
The "Monster Energy" era provided some great racing, but the 2026 "Chase" era is looking like it might finally give the fans the statistical fairness they've been begging for. Keep your eyes on the points—every single one matters now.
Next Steps for 2026:
To stay ahead of the curve, you should bookmark the official NASCAR live leaderboard specifically for the Daytona 500 qualifying duels coming up on February 12. This will be your first look at how the 55-point win incentive changes the way drivers approach the closing laps of a race.