You are right, it's still for the taking. That was a hard hit the 48 & 23 had. Sounds like the 48 just over corrected?

Well, my guy has been out of it basically all season, so obviously you have to pull for somebody to win the damn thing, right?

Obviously, I am pulling for the only Hendrick guy left, but beyond that...

If it's a Toyota, I hope it's Bell (or even Briscoe)... not pulling for Hamlin, and Gibbs is out of it (and so are the 23XI guys).

And definitely can't pull against Blaney - ever.

But that's it.

Oh it's still up for grabs, probably anyone within the top 4 still has a shot....heck even Blaney and Logano are still not totally out of it.

One thing that is causing some issues is the continuous cancelation of qualifying sessions. They take the finish from the previous race and use that as 70% of the decision for your starting position. If anyone had a bad finish, it has been a little difficult to get a better starting position, with 4 of 6 chase races having their qualifying canceled. Would be nice to see a good qualifying session in Phoenix this week.

Talk about tight.

The top four are separated by just 15 points with four races to go. pic.twitter.com/CbwXYTAzHd

— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) October 12, 2026

The O'Reilly chase has been fun to watch as well. At one point last night, when Love was leading, there was a pretty good spread. With Day winning, it brought everyone back together. Kapil had a rough night but still not out of it.

If my math is correct the 19 is going to have to average 70 or so a race to catch the 5, right now even winning two back to back he is only getting 68? So the 19 and the 11 have better hope the 5 has some issues cause if the 5 wins another race this thing could be over ( at current pace ). Now, I do think the 5 steps on himself, ( is known for doing that ). But right now the 11 better get it together.

Next up Phoenix

Yep, agree. That's what i was saying earlier. If the 5 keeps getting top 10 finishes, the others will have to get wins in order to do anything that will chip away at the lead. As of today, Larson is only 65 points ahead of Briscoe, 51 points ahead of Bell and 49 points ahead of Hamlin. That isn't impossible with 4 races remaining but everyone has to get good stage points, and throw in a win in order to cut into that lead. Briscoe did well yesterday and yet only scored 19 more points than Larson for the day.

Now, if the 5 (or any of them) wrecks out, that opens the door and things change drastically. The Talladega race could turn things on end for any of these teams. Never know what will happen there and could be involved in a wreck at any time.

Agree about Talladega, no telling what happens there. If I'm being honest, I didn't expect the 5 to be doing what they are.

1990 AC delco 500 rockingham. Kulwicki won in zerex car
1991 Transouth 500. Rudd Won......Michael Waltrip was one bad pit stop from winning
1991 Mello Yello 500 Geoff Bodine won over Davey
1992 Pepsi 400. Swervin Irvan won. Richard Petty led first 5 laps
1994 Coca Cola 600. Gordon's 1st win
1995 Winston 500. Dega. Mark Martin won. Dale spun out last lap
1995 AC Delco 400. Had breakfast with Ward Burton. He won that day


Im tired.

FknWeirdErnie said:

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1990 AC delco 500 rockingham. Kulwicki won in zerex car
1991 Transouth 500. Rudd Won......Michael Waltrip was one bad pit stop from winning
1991 Mello Yello 500 Geoff Bodine won over Davey
1992 Pepsi 400. Swervin Irvan won. Richard Petty led first 5 laps
1994 Coca Cola 600. Gordon's 1st win
1995 Winston 500. Dega. Mark Martin won. Dale spun out last lap
1995 AC Delco 400. Had breakfast with Ward Burton. He won that day


Im tired.

---

Impressive. I miss the breakfast that Darlington did with Bojangles every year. All you could eat and a lot of former drivers and industry folks would show up. Fun times.

37 Cup cars for Phoenix. 67-Heim is the open car. pic.twitter.com/6JaP3BBDrm

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 12, 2026

ncsupack1 said:

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FknWeirdErnie said:

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1990 AC delco 500 rockingham. Kulwicki won in zerex car
1991 Transouth 500. Rudd Won......Michael Waltrip was one bad pit stop from winning
1991 Mello Yello 500 Geoff Bodine won over Davey
1992 Pepsi 400. Swervin Irvan won. Richard Petty led first 5 laps
1994 Coca Cola 600. Gordon's 1st win
1995 Winston 500. Dega. Mark Martin won. Dale spun out last lap
1995 AC Delco 400. Had breakfast with Ward Burton. He won that day


Im tired.

---

Impressive. I miss the breakfast that Darlington did with Bojangles every year. All you could eat and a lot of former drivers and industry folks would show up. Fun times.

---

the 95 Rockingham race was pretty crazy. Ward sat across from my brother, his wife across from my dad, and 3 yr old Jeb across from me. They had no where else to sit at the infield cafeteria.

A little later we were at the start finish line for driver intros....I heard someone yelling my brothers name "Steeeeeeeeeve"....it was Adam Petty. They were basically teammates at Tyro Kartway near Lexington...my brother drove the #30 Phantom Racing Chassis kart. Adam was #35. One day Richard gave Adam a **** ton of contingency stickers....my brother was out practicing and Adam stuck every sticker on my brothers trailer. Steve actually drove past his trailer because he didnt recognize his own trailer. Adam looked very different back then, chubby with braces. Austin was the funniest though, that kid was class clown at Trinity HS. Montgomery Lee went to Braxton Craven, I actually gave them a ride home a couple times. Archie Kennedy was the connection between our families

ncsupack1 said:

---

If my math is correct the 19 is going to have to average 70 or so a race to catch the 5, right now even winning two back to back he is only getting 68? So the 19 and the 11 have better hope the 5 has some issues cause if the 5 wins another race this thing could be over ( at current pace ). Now, I do think the 5 steps on himself, ( is known for doing that ). But right now the 11 better get it together.

---

I dont even understand the pts system now. I just want Hamlin to win. He's not my fave driver but I want him to win this **** for his dad. GO HAM!!!!!

FknWeirdErnie said:

---

ncsupack1 said:

---

FknWeirdErnie said:

---

1990 AC delco 500 rockingham. Kulwicki won in zerex car
1991 Transouth 500. Rudd Won......Michael Waltrip was one bad pit stop from winning
1991 Mello Yello 500 Geoff Bodine won over Davey
1992 Pepsi 400. Swervin Irvan won. Richard Petty led first 5 laps
1994 Coca Cola 600. Gordon's 1st win
1995 Winston 500. Dega. Mark Martin won. Dale spun out last lap
1995 AC Delco 400. Had breakfast with Ward Burton. He won that day


Im tired.

---

Impressive. I miss the breakfast that Darlington did with Bojangles every year. All you could eat and a lot of former drivers and industry folks would show up. Fun times.

---

the 95 Rockingham race was pretty crazy. Ward sat across from my brother, his wife across from my dad, and 3 yr old Jeb across from me. They had no where else to sit at the infield cafeteria.

A little later we were at the start finish line for driver intros....I heard someone yelling my brothers name "Steeeeeeeeeve"....it was Adam Petty. They were basically teammates at Tyro Kartway near Lexington...my brother drove the #30 Phantom Racing Chassis kart. Adam was #35. One day Richard gave Adam a **** ton of contingency stickers....my brother was out practicing and Adam stuck every sticker on my brothers trailer. Steve actually drove past his trailer because he didnt recognize his own trailer. Adam looked very different back then, chubby with braces. Austin was the funniest though, that kid was class clown at Trinity HS. Montgomery Lee went to Braxton Craven, I actually gave them a ride home a couple times. Archie Kennedy was the connection between our families

---

Ward was a trip. Got to meet him and Jeff when they ran South Boston Speedway

FknWeirdErnie said:

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ncsupack1 said:

---

If my math is correct the 19 is going to have to average 70 or so a race to catch the 5, right now even winning two back to back he is only getting 68? So the 19 and the 11 have better hope the 5 has some issues cause if the 5 wins another race this thing could be over ( at current pace ). Now, I do think the 5 steps on himself, ( is known for doing that ). But right now the 11 better get it together.

---

I dont even understand the pts system now. I just want Hamlin to win. He's not my fave driver but I want him to win this **** for his dad. GO HAM!!!!!

---

The biggest difference in today's chase is that now there are stage points involved.

NFL Legend Torry Holt Relishes First Bank of America 400 Experience https://t.co/GacdIDqnIU

— Torry Holt (@AllHands81) October 12, 2026

Apparently there is an Australian who could be in the 6 next year.

The @Big12Conference will once again be on a NASCAR race car this weekend, this time on Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 54 Toyota at Phoenix through the sides' various Monster Energy sponsorships.

➡️ The Big 12 logo also appeared on a car this summer with 23XI Racing's @RileyHerbst. pic.twitter.com/zVJBmSwumC

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) October 13, 2026

Dodge could be in CUP 2027 with ECR building their engines.

You've been asking for this.

We've signed @Daniel_SuarezG to an extension for the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/TInPZT2TLH

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) October 13, 2026

I hate Phoenix.

ncsupack1 said:

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FknWeirdErnie said:

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ncsupack1 said:

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If my math is correct the 19 is going to have to average 70 or so a race to catch the 5, right now even winning two back to back he is only getting 68? So the 19 and the 11 have better hope the 5 has some issues cause if the 5 wins another race this thing could be over ( at current pace ). Now, I do think the 5 steps on himself, ( is known for doing that ). But right now the 11 better get it together.

---

I dont even understand the pts system now. I just want Hamlin to win. He's not my fave driver but I want him to win this **** for his dad. GO HAM!!!!!

---

The biggest difference in today's chase is that now there are stage points involved.

---

The NASCAR Cup Series points have been reset! Playoff points have been awarded for the final time based on wins, stage wins, and regular season finish.

The Round of 8 will consist of Phoenix, Talladega, and Martinsville. pic.twitter.com/4XrVqqRmgf

— NASCAR Playoff Picture (@NCS_Playoffs) October 13, 2026