NASCAR fans are kinda losing their minds right now. Between the radical shift in the points system and the absolute chaos of the off-season, everyone is asking the same thing: nascar who’s winning the race and who actually has the speed to take the 2026 title? Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the dirt tracks in Tulsa this week, you're missing the real story.
While the Cup Series doesn't officially kick off for points until the Daytona 500 on February 15, the "pre-season" is already electric.
Kyle Larson is doing Kyle Larson things. Just a few days ago, he absolutely clinicalized the field at the SageNet Center, winning his Monday night preliminary feature at the Chili Bowl. He’s the reigning Cup champion, and he’s driving like he’s got something to prove all over again. But he’s not alone at the top of the mountain. Christopher Bell—the guy who seems to be Larson's shadow in every dirt race they enter—just matched Larson’s record of nine preliminary wins by taking the checkered flag on Thursday night.
These two are the benchmarks. If you want to know who’s winning the race in terms of pure momentum, it’s the #5 and the #20.
The New Points Chase: Why Everything You Knew Is Wrong
NASCAR basically nuked the old playoff system for 2026. Forget the "win and you’re in" simplicity that felt a bit stale to some. They’ve returned to a revamped "Chase" format.
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Winners now pocket 55 points. That is a massive 15-point jump from what we saw last year. The goal here is simple: reward the guys who actually cross the line first. No more coasting on stage points and playing it safe for a top-ten finish. If you aren't hunting for the win, you are falling behind.
The Heavy Hitters in the 2026 Standings
Since we are technically in the "silly season" transition, looking at how the 2025 season closed gives us the clearest picture of the 2026 power rankings.
- Kyle Larson (#5): He finished 2025 with 5,034 points and 3 wins. He’s the gold standard.
- Denny Hamlin (#11): Always the bridesmaid? Maybe. But with 6 wins last year, he had the most individual victories of anyone. He’s starting 2026 with a massive chip on his shoulder.
- William Byron (#24): He’s the young gun who isn't really a "young gun" anymore. He’s a veteran leader at Hendrick now.
- Ryan Blaney (#12): The Penske powerhouse. Blaney’s ability to find speed when the playoffs start is legendary at this point.
What’s Changing on the Track?
The 2026 schedule is a weird, beautiful mix of nostalgia and experimentalism. We’re going to the San Diego Street Course at Naval Base Coronado on June 21. Think about that for a second. Stock cars roaring through a naval base. It’s either going to be the coolest thing ever or a complete disaster, and honestly, fans are here for the gamble.
Also, Chicagoland is back! After being left out in the cold since 2019, the 1.5-mile oval returns on July 5.
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But the biggest news? The finale. Phoenix is out. Homestead-Miami is back as the championship host on November 8. Ask any driver—they prefer Homestead. The multi-groove racing there allows for actual passing and "driver's track" heroics rather than the aero-dependent frustration we sometimes saw in the desert.
The Rookie to Watch
Keep your eyes on Connor Zilisch. He’s stepping into the #88 for Trackhouse Racing. This kid is a phenom on road courses. With the 2026 schedule leaning into variety, Zilisch could be a "dark horse" who isn't really a dark horse once the season gets moving.
Breakdown of the Favorites
When people ask nascar who’s winning the race, they usually mean "who is going to win the 500?"
Daytona is a crapshoot, sure. But look at the Ford camp. Team Penske and RFK Racing (Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher) have turned drafting into a science. If I’m a betting man, I’m looking at the dark blue and white Fords to control the pack in February.
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However, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe—who moved over to the #19 to replace the retiring Truex Jr. Briscoe is a wild card. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, and now he’s in top-tier Toyota equipment.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve and actually understand the flow of the season, do these three things:
- Watch the Clash at Bowman Gray: It’s happening February 1. It’s a short-track "madhouse" and will set the tone for how aggressive drivers are going to be with the new 55-point win incentive.
- Monitor the "Chase" Seeds: Since the points reset for the top 16, the regular-season champion gets a 25-point premium. That’s huge. It makes the mid-summer races at places like Indianapolis and Iowa actually matter for the title.
- Track the Manufacturer Battle: Toyota looked dominant in the wind tunnel tests, but Chevrolet’s Hendrick engines are still the benchmark for reliability. Watch the opening three races (Daytona, Atlanta, COTA) to see which manufacturer has the early edge.
The 2026 season isn't just a continuation of last year; it’s a total reboot of how the sport is scored and where it’s played. Whether it's Larson's dirt-track dominance or Bell's precision, the race for the 2026 Cup is already wide open.