NASCAR Cup Points Standings after 2026 Gateway, Chase picture
September 14, 2026
Kyle Larson‘s win at World Wide Technology Raceway vaults him into second place in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase standings, just nine points behind points leader Denny Hamlin.
Larson entered the weekend needing a breakthrough after a prolonged drought that had stretched back to May 2025 at Kansas Speedway. He found it in the most dramatic fashion, leading 80 laps and holding off a charging field through multiple late restarts before edging Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman by 0.333s in double overtime.
It was Larson’s 33rd career Cup victory and more importantly elevates him from seventh to second in the Chase standings.
Hamlin remains the championship leader after finishing ninth at WWTR, while Darlington Southern 500 winner Christopher Bell slipped to third after getting tagged in a late crash.
The Chase now heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, September 19, the third of 10 championship races. All 16 drivers remain in contention for the title.
Full Race Results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Enjoy Illinois 300
New NASCAR Cup Points Standings after 2026 Gateway Enjoy Illinois 300
| Pos | Driver | Points | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 2168 | |
| 2 | Kyle Larson | 2159 | -9 |
| 3 | Christopher Bell | 2150 | -18 |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney | 2135 | -33 |
| 5 | Tyler Reddick | 2126 | -42 |
| 6 | Ty Gibbs | 2117 | -51 |
| 7 | Joey Logano | 2117 | -51 |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe | 2109 | -59 |
| 9 | Carson Hocevar | 2080 | -88 |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 2078 | -90 |
| 11 | Chase Elliott | 2075 | -93 |
| 12 | Austin Cindric | 2060 | -108 |
| 13 | Chris Buescher | 2057 | -111 |
| 14 | Ryan Preece | 2055 | -113 |
| 15 | William Byron | 2054 | -114 |
| 16 | Daniel Suarez | 2049 | -119 |
