Denny Hamlin is sitting in an excellent spot with four races remaining in the 2026 NASCARR Cup Series regular season. Entering NASCAR’s final off-weekend, Hamlin has an 84-point lead over Tyler Reddick for first place in the regular season standings. The driver of the No. 11 car’s strong runs have put him in an excellent spot to earn the No. 1 seed.
However, it wouldn’t count as a regular season championship, as NASCAR has eliminated the trophy and achievement. Instead, Hamlin would simply be rewarded as the No. 1 seed, earning the most bonus points for the Chase. Either way, it would be a major milestone for Hamlin as he chases his first NASCAR championship.
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At one point, it looked like Tyler Reddick would run away with the No. 1 seed, but his poor summer has put Hamlin in a prime position moving forward. While there are still four races left, including Daytona International Speedway, Hamlin looks poised to enter the Chase as the No .1 seed in the Cup Series.
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This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Denny Hamlin extends point lead heading into off-weekend in 2026
