: The driver with the highest total points after the final race of the season is crowned the champion. 2026 Cup Series Leaders
As of April 2026, the following drivers lead the Cup Series Standings : Tyler Reddick Denny Hamlin Ryan Blaney Chase Elliott Kyle Larson The Chase 101: How new championship format works
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is one of the world's premier motorsport organizations and a staple of American sports culture. Founded in 1948 by Bill France Sr., it has evolved from humble beginnings—rooted in Prohibition-era moonshine runners who modified cars to evade police—into a multibillion-dollar industry. nascar
: The third level, featuring modified pickup trucks. Race Format & 2026 Championship
: A 10-race postseason where points are re-seeded just once. There are no more eliminations throughout these final 10 races. : The driver with the highest total points
: The top-tier flagship series where the biggest stars compete.
NASCAR operates three major national touring series, often referred to as a "ladder" for driver development: : The third level, featuring modified pickup trucks
Races are generally divided into , where the top 10 finishers of each stage earn bonus points. In a significant shift for the 2026 season, the NASCAR Cup Series returned to the "Chase" format used from 2004–2013: