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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series opens with significant change as the sport enters its 78th season. NASCAR has introduced a new championship format, returning to a Chase-style system after unveiling the revised structure in January.
The schedule features Homestead-Miami Speedway reclaiming its traditional role as the season finale, marking the first time since 2019 that the championship race returns to South Florida. Technical updates include increased horsepower from 670 to 750 at short tracks and road courses, while Chevrolet debuts a redesigned ZL1 body style based on the Camaro Carbon Performance Package.
NASCAR just changed how championships are won.
The Cup Series keeps the playoffs but replaces the one-race finale with a 10-race Chase. pic.twitter.com/7PYbCrVHCu
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) January 12, 2026
The championship battle appears wide open with defending champion Kyle Larson and runner-up Denny Hamlin sharing co-favorite status. Hamlin’s heartbreaking overtime loss after dominating much of the 2025 finale positions him as a top contender, while William Byron enters with momentum from consecutive Daytona 500 victories and his third straight Championship Four appearance.
Rookie Connor Zilisch arrives at Trackhouse Racing following a dominant 10-win Xfinity season, adding intrigue to the field. With format changes emphasizing race wins and the return of traditional venues, the 2026 season promises a compelling championship chase.
Check out the latest NASCAR betting lines. All our odds are from the best NASCAR betting sites. For more information about the Cup Series, check out our guide on how to bet on NASCAR.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds
| Racer |  |  |  |
| Denny Hamlin | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Kyle Larson | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| William Byron | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Ryan Blaney | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Christopher Bell | +650 | +625 | +650 |
| Chase Briscoe | +850 | +900 | +900 |
| Chase Elliott | +850 | +850 | +900 |
| Tyler Reddick | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Connor Zilisch | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Joey Logano | +2000 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Ross Chastain | +2000 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Kyle Busch | +3500 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Bubba Wallace | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Josh Berry | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Alex Bowman | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Chris Buescher | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Ty Gibbs | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Austin Cindric | +6500 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Brad Keselowski | +6500 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Ryan Preece | +6500 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Austin Dillon | +13000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Cody Ware | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Ty Dillon | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Todd Gilliland | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Erik Jones | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Michael McDowell | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Zane Smith | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Riley Herbst | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Daniel Suarez | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Cole Custer | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| AJ Allmendinger | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Noah Gragson | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Rickey Stenhouse Jr. | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
Kyle Larson
Larson enters as the favorite despite an unconventional championship run in 2025. The Hendrick Motorsports driver captured three wins, 15 top-fives, and 22 top-10s while leading 1,106 laps, becoming the third driver to win multiple titles in the elimination playoff format.
His Phoenix finale victory came without leading a single lap, as crew chief Cliff Daniels’ strategic two-tire gamble in overtime proved decisive. Larson acknowledged the season never felt dominant but emphasized his team’s consistency amid the Next Gen era’s unpredictability.
The most NASCAR Cup Series laps led for each generation of car:
Gen 7: (4,567) Kyle Larson
Gen 6: (11,590) Kevin Harvick
Gen 5: (8,960) Jimmie Johnson
Gen 4: (18,716) Jeff Gordon
Gen 3: (17,638) Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Gen 2: (36,114) Richard Petty
Gen 1: (12,640) Junior Johnson pic.twitter.com/dfqu4EUBwN— Racing Territory (@RacingTerritory) January 9, 2026
His partnership with Daniels enters a crucial period, as Larson’s Hendrick contract expires after 2026. The increased horsepower package at short tracks could favor Larson’s aggressive driving style, potentially setting up a back-to-back championship campaign. As tempting as it is to back Larson, I will pass on him this time.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin’s motivation for redemption may be unmatched entering 2026. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran secured six victories in 2025, matching his 2019 output, and reached the milestone 60th career win at Las Vegas, tying him with Kevin Harvick for tenth all-time.
At Phoenix, Hamlin qualified on pole and dominated by leading 208 of 319 laps before a late caution sent the race to overtime. He restarted tenth after a four-tire pit stop and finished sixth, losing the championship by mere seconds. Now 45 years old, Hamlin is driving at arguably the highest level of his career, having led over 1,000 laps for the first time since 2021.
“We all know you earned that one for your dad.”
Denny Hamlin getting his 60th career win and his final win of 2025.
pic.twitter.com/dkryD35mgx— Kyle Busch FC ⚽️ (@kfb8182313000) December 30, 2025
His partnership with first-year crew chief Chris Gayle proved highly successful, marking their first Championship Four appearance together. With the legal battle involving his 23XI Racing team now resolved and the painful Phoenix loss still fresh, Hamlin remains the sport’s best driver without a championship title.
This streak ends this season. I love Hamlin at +500 to win this and would recommend you make the same wager.
William Byron
William Byron may be the most consistent title threat in the field. Byron became just the fifth driver in history to win consecutive Daytona 500s in 2025, joining racing royalty.
He claimed the Regular Season Championship and scored three victories, though dominant performances at Darlington and Charlotte resulted in runner-up finishes after leading hundreds of laps.
William Byron made history on Sunday night! 👏 pic.twitter.com/R5h63sHqtH
— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) February 17, 2025
At Martinsville, Byron delivered a clutch performance when it mattered most, leading a career-high 304 of 500 laps to win his way into the Championship Four. His third consecutive Championship Four appearance demonstrates remarkable consistency, though he finished fourth at Phoenix after a late tire issue derailed his title bid.
With crew chief Rudy Fugle, Byron seeks to convert sustained excellence into his first championship, and attempting a historic third straight Daytona 500 victory adds extra motivation.
Byron is another great driver, but I’m not a fan of the short price and would wait till later on in the season if you want to back Byron.
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott represents another Hendrick threat seeking his second championship. The 2020 champion recorded two wins in 2025, marking the first time he won multiple races since 2022, with victories at Atlanta and Kansas. Elliott’s 11 top-fives and 19 top-tens matched his 2024 output, while his 454 laps led were his most since 2022.
Chase Elliott managed to lead the pack more than 450 times this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LblHe01QG3
— Sportskeeda NASCAR (@NASCARatSK) December 31, 2025
He advanced to the Round of 8 before elimination at Martinsville, finishing third behind teammates Byron and Larson. Despite finishing eighth in points with a strong 12.6 average finish, Elliott candidly assessed his season as “not great,” believing untapped potential remains. His enduring partnership with crew chief Alan Gustafson and late-season momentum positioned the “Most Popular Driver” as a dark horse contender.
Despite the popularity, I would pass on Elliott at this price, if you wait, you can get better than 10-1 later on in the season.
Connor Zilisch
The wildcard may be 19-year-old sensation Connor Zilisch. Hailed as perhaps NASCAR’s biggest prospect in recent history, the North Carolina native dominated his rookie Xfinity season with 10 wins and the Regular Season Championship.
Zilisch rewrote the record book for first-year drivers, establishing new marks for wins, top-fives, and races led. He’ll pilot the historic No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing with Red Bull backing, partnering with veteran crew chief Randall Burnett.
Connor Zilisch is gearing up for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona 🔥
📸: Connor Zilisch pic.twitter.com/p6l14rk05N
— Sportskeeda NASCAR (@NASCARatSK) January 19, 2026
Three-time champion Joey Logano praised Zilisch’s maturity, suggesting he may be more advanced than Logano was at that age. His versatility across multiple racing disciplines and proven road course excellence position him as a potential race winner early in his rookie campaign.
Zilisch would be nothing other than a fun lotto, it’s highly unlikely and not something I would recommend.
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