Nascar news

• NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Respond to Unexpected Rule Change Before Iowa Speedway

  09-08-2026 00:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kyle Larson (left) competes at the NASCAR Cup Series level, where Darlington purses exceed $11 million, while lower divisions race for a fraction of that amount. GettyDaniel Suárez and Kyle Larson have backed NASCAR’s new stage caution rule before Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway. NASCAR introduced the change for the rest of the 2026 season across its national series to reduce long caution periods and keep races moving. Under the new system, if a natural caution happens
  
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• Column: Ryan Sieg Just Showed Us Why We Love NASCAR

  31-08-2026 07:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aug 28, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA;NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Sieg (38) wins the Wawa 250 in overtime at Daytona International Speedway.Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesAfter 424 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, five runner-up finishes and years of grinding away in the sport, Ryan Sieg finally got his moment Friday night at Daytona.And man, was it worth the wait.Sieg won the Winn-Dixie 250 in overtime, holding off Austin Hill and Carson Kvapil to score the
  
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• Joey Logano Could Be NASCAR’s Most Dangerous Championship Sleeper

  31-08-2026 07:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aug 22, 2026; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; Team Penske driver Joey Logano (22) looks on before practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesCount Joey Logano out of a championship fight at your own risk.After spending much of the summer looking like he might miss NASCAR’s new Chase entirely, Logano has completely flipped the script. He climbed from 20th to ninth in the standings over a six-race stretch, highlighted by his North Wilkesboro and Richmond v
  
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• NASCAR’s Chase Is Back: Here’s How the 2026 Format Works

  31-08-2026 07:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aug 29, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA;Roush Fenway Keselowski driver Ryan Preece (60) celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesNASCAR’s championship format changed for 2026, so before the final 10 races begin, let’s make The Chase make sense.Following the 26-race regular season, the top 16 drivers in the Cup Series standings advance to The Chase. Unlike the previous playoff format
  
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• Tom Cruise Honors Kyle Busch With Touching Gesture at Daytona

  31-08-2026 01:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Tom Cruise attends the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) GettyTom Cruise recognizes the empty chair, tribute to the late Kyle Busch during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Tom Cruise returned to
  
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• Jimmie Johnson Unveils Special No. 48 for Final NASCAR Cup Series Start

  31-08-2026 00:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jimmie Johnson’s final NASCAR Cup Series start will look a lot like a trip through his Hall of Fame career.Legacy Motor Club unveiled the No. 48 Toyota Camry XSE that Johnson will drive in the 2027 Daytona 500, giving NASCAR fans their first look at the car that will carry the seven-time champion into his final Cup race.And this isn’t simply another paint scheme.The design brings together Lowe’s, Ally and Carvana, three brands tied to distinct chapters of Johnson’s career
  
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• “Kyle Petty Thinks You Can’t”– Ford Star Drops Fiery Reality Check on Chase Critics After Daytona Triumph

  30-08-2026 22:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kyle Petty ©imago sportfotodienstSixteen drivers were far too many for the Chase. Many NASCAR insiders, including former Cup Series driver Kyle Petty, have made that argument in recent weeks. Petty even went as far as saying that fans shouldn’t bother following the bubble drivers once the Chase begins. Ryan Preece’s performance at Daytona, however, offered a very different perspective.Preece had already stated that he had nothing to lose as he looked to secure the 16th seed. He
  
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• Tom Cruise’s touching NASCAR tribute to Kyle Busch as he announces ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel

  30-08-2026 19:43 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Tom Cruise delivered a touching gesture to Kyle Busch.While the three-time Golden Globe winning actor announced the sequel of “Days of Thunder” is in the works during Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, Cruise sat next to an empty chair that was meant for Busch.Photographers at Daytona International Speedway caught Cruise patting the empty seat in what was a emotional tribute months after Busch died from pneumonia-inflicted sepsis at the age of 41. The NASCAR legend died hours a
  
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• Watch as Daniel Dye climbs on top of Kyle Larson's car in last-lap Daytona crash

  30-08-2026 19:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoIt was a roller coaster weekend for Daniel Dye, who announced a multi-year, full-time NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series deal with Jordan Anderson Racing on Friday. He was also pulling double duty, running both the NASCAR O'Reilly race and NASCAR Cup race.Unfortunately, Dye's NASCAR O'Reilly outing with JAR ended just 27 laps into the race as he slammed into an accident, finishing 38th (last).Dye's Cup showing with Live Fast Motorsports lasted quite a bit longer, making it all the
  
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• “NASCAR Won’t Give Me One”- Denny Hamlin Reacts as Devoted Fans Complete Championship Lore Despite NASCAR Snub

  30-08-2026 19:33 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport, NASCAR, Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 05: Denny Hamlin, 11 Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Offerpad during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 on September 5, 2021 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 05 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff – Cook Out Southern 500 Icon2109054406500 ©imago images/Icon SMIDenny Hamlin has been on the hunt for Cup Series gl
  
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• Austin Hill Has Strong NASCAR Cup Showing at Daytona

  30-08-2026 19:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Prior to Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, Austin Hill had only led two laps in his NASCAR Cup Series career. By the end of the 160-lap race, the driver of the No. 33 had paced the field more than anyone.Hill led a race-high 27 laps on Saturday night after starting from the third position. The Georgia native finished top 10 in Stage 2 and stayed in contention throughout the evening at “The World Center of Racing.” Unfortunately for Hill, the Richard Childress Racing dr
  
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• How Tom Cruise paid tribute to NASCAR legend Kyle Busch at Daytona during Days Of Thunder 2 promo

  30-08-2026 18:22 via yahoo.com
  Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesHollywood legend Tom Cruise paid an emotional tribute to NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, who passed away in May this year after battling a severe case of bacterial pneumonia that led to sepsis.Cruise paid homage to Busch during the announcement of the sequel to his 1990 film ‘Days of Thunder’ at a drivers’ meeting before Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.Cruise is bringing the on-track thrill of the film to the
  
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• Carson Hocevar’s 'Girl Friend' Shuts Down Female Influencer’s ‘Dirty-Redneck’ NASCAR Remark With Bold Callout

  30-08-2026 18:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 20: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Deleware Life Chevrolet walks down pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA CRAFTSMAN Truck Series FR8 Racing 208 on February 20, 2026 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 20 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series FR8 Racing 208 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602202788208 ©IMAGO/Icon SportswireTabitha Swatosh has become a name NASCAR fans are increasingly familiar with. Al
  
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• No NASCAR Race Today? Why the Cup Series Is Quiet on Sunday

  30-08-2026 17:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, and Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Super.com Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) GettyThere is no NASCAR Cup Series race today, Sunday, August 30, 2026. Fans looking for the usual Sunday afternoon action will not find stock cars on track. The reason is simple: NA
  
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• Chase Elliott Backs Denny Hamlin’s Honest 7-Word Verdict on NASCAR’s New Package

  30-08-2026 17:18 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Qualifying Nov 5, 2022 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott 9 speaks with NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin 11 during qualifying at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20221105_gav_sv5_048 ©IMAGO/USA TODAY Network“Hopefully this is the direction we go,” Denny Hamlin’s seven-word verdict may have been the clearest endors
  
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• Arguably It Was Worse”- Christopher Bell Left Disappointed With NASCAR’s New Superspeedway Package With Blunt Verdict

  30-08-2026 17:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Interstate Batteries Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) ©Getty ImagesThe Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona was the final regular-season race before the start of the 10-race Chase. Ryan Preece clinched his first Cup Series win and sealed his spot in the post
  
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• 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Odds: Hamlin a Clear-Cut Choice as Postseason Gets Underway

  30-08-2026 17:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.Could this finally be the year Denny Hamlin wins a championship? It certainly looks that way based on the current 2026 NASCAR Cup Series odds.Hamlin has pulled away to a clear-cut lead after clinching the regular-season title. Ryan Blaney is the current second-choice as he looks for his second championship.Let's look at the latest NASCAR Cup Series odds.NASCAR Cup Series odds Driver Name
  ProbabilityDen
  
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• Ryan Preece Reacts to His Much-Needed NASCAR Breakthrough at Daytona: “Built Us a Rocket Ship and Went to the Moon”

  30-08-2026 12:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aug 29, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; Roush Fenway Keselowski driver Ryan Preece (60) lifts the winner's trophy in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. © Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesRyan Preece walked away with a Daytona win in Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 and secured his spot in the Chase. The feat marks his first-ever points-paying win in the Cup Series.Preece had a second-row start and was battling for a Stage 1 triumph when he wrecked with teammate Chris Buescher. T
  
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• NASCAR Daytona winners, losers as Ryan Preece bursts into Chase field with 1st win

  30-08-2026 12:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ryan Preece, the new Chase format and the regular-season finale combined for the on-track moment of the season in the NASCAR Cup Series.Preece earned his first career Cup Series victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 29 at Daytona to jump into the Chase field.The driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford knew he almost certainly had to win the race to make the Chase, and restarted second for the overtime restart.Preece took the lead through turns 1 and 2 on the final lap as Zane Smith spun on his
  
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• Jimmie Johnson’s Farewell Gets Nostalgic As He Brings Back Iconic No. 48 Colors for 2027 Daytona 500

  30-08-2026 10:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Legacy Motor Club driver Jimmie Johnson (84) is interviewed before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. © Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesJimmie Johnson shared a glimpse of the No. 48 livery for his farewell race at the 2027 Daytona 500.Johnson recently announced that he has teamed up with Lowe’s, Ally, and Carvana to sponsor his sendoff race. Lowe’s was his primary sponsor through his seven championships and 83 victorie
  
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• NASCAR's new Daytona package was maybe directionally better?

  30-08-2026 08:26 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoRyan Preece certainly enjoyed the new NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway package on Saturday night but of course he did.“I mean, yeah, I won,” Preece said. “I like it. Did you like it?”That’s a question better asked for his peers, starting with his team owner Brad Keselowski, who preceded him during post-race press conferences.“Honestly, I could not tell a difference,” Keselowski said. “I couldn't tell they changed the rules at all. My
  
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• Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Daytona 2026

  30-08-2026 08:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoThe regular season is over, and Denny Hamlinsits atop the reset championship standings. Gone is his 89-point lead, replaced with a 25-point buffer. In fact, the entire top 16 is separated by just 100 points. Hamlin scored 1,027 points in the regular season before being reset to 2,100 as the No. 1 seed. Ryan Preece secured the 16th and final spot in the Chase standings after earning his first career NASCAR Cup Series win, bumping Shane van Gisbergen out of the Chase field by
  
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• Ryan Preece praises SVG as one "hell of a race car driver" after ousting him from Chase

  30-08-2026 07:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoIt was going to be a big ask for Ryan Preece to make up 31 points on Shane van Gisbergen, especially since SVG won Stage 1 while Preece was sliding through the infield grass.However, Preece fought back through the field and won the race -- his first victory in 249 career NASCAR Cup starts. The 'win and you're in' format may be gone, but the amount of points on offer for race wins was more than enough for Preece to bump Van Gisbergen from the 16th and final spot in the Chase.
  
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• Who Won the NASCAR Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona? Full Race Results

  30-08-2026 07:36 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger/OIKOS Ford, crosses the finish line under caution ahead of Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Coke Zero Sugar Chevrolet, to win the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) GettyRyan Preece needed a win Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.He got it by 0.024 seconds.Preece won a wild overtime finish
  
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• Ryan Preece didn't hear no bell; breaks through at Daytona

  30-08-2026 07:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoRyan Preece didn’t hear no bell.It’s the end of the first stage and the No. 60 went from leading the race with a chance at 10 stage points to sliding across the grass and watching Shane Van Gisbergen win the segment instead.Preece stayed in the gas and finished eighth, but it was still a significant swing in points, Preece going from a 31-point deficit to 38 points with two quarters of the race still remaining.At that point, Preece needed to win and needed SVG to be c
  
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• Zane Smith wrecks out of Daytona lead: "I didn't even get a shot to survive"

  30-08-2026 07:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoWhen the white flag flew, Zane Smith was leading the NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona. Making his 107th career start at the top level of the sport, he was hoping to become the 210th different winner in Cup Series history. However, that ultimately went to Ryan Preece.On the final overtime restart, Smith was leading with Ryan Blaney pushing. Ryan Preece restarted up top with Tyler Reddick behind him. By the time they reached the white flag, Smith was clearly ahead with Blaney, Pre
  
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• Chase Briscoe praises package at Daytona: 'I had a lot of fun'

  30-08-2026 07:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoNASCAR drivers truly did not know what to expect this weekend at Daytona, as they were racing with a brand new package meant to make things more competitive at the superspeedway.With every team going in blind, it was impossible to know who, if anyone, would have the advantage with the new package in place, or how they would impact the action on the track.“I think this weekend has potential to be absolute chaos,” said Denny Hamlin on his podcast in the days leadin
  
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• Who is in the Chase? NASCAR’s postseason field from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece

  30-08-2026 06:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Following Ryan Preece’s dramatic, walk-off-like overtime win on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Daytona, the field is officially set for NASCAR’s postseason.This year, the format is a bit different. After 12 years of the win-and-in, elimination-style playoffs, the Chase has returned. This postseason system is designed to award consistency and drivers who have achieved success over the stretch of a long season — that began all the way back in February at the Daytona 500 — rather than
  
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• Chase Elliott says postseason seeding 'irrelevant' if you don't perform

  30-08-2026 06:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoChase Elliott's Saturday night at Daytona didn't end the way his was hoping.The No. 9 team left the Coke Zero Sugar 400 with a 23rd place finish. A late wreck by Carson Hocevar sent the race into overtime, and Elliott was simply stuck too far back in the pack to make a run during the two-lap shootout to the finish.After the race, Elliott expressed disappointment in the finish, as he had been hoping to improve his spot in the points standings heading into the Chase."Unfortunately,
  
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• Shane van Gisbergen reacts to missing the Chase, despite first stage win on an oval

  30-08-2026 06:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoDaytona was roller coaster of a night for Shane van Gisbergen, and it ended in disappointment for the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.He watched Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, and Kyle Larson all crash in front of him early in the running, clearing the way for SVG to earn his first-ever oval stage win and secure ten points.However, Preece pulled off a remarkable save and suffered minimal damage. Even while sliding, he crossed the line in eighth and scored three points. He a
  
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