Hamlin and Bell say only race wins will keep their 2026 NASCAR Cup title hopes after Kansas
After Kyle Larson’s victory in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 27, 2026, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell told media they must win races to stay in the NASCAR Cup Series title fight. Both drivers turn next to the South Point 400 at Las Vegas on October 4, 2026.
Following Kyle Larson’s dominant win in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 27, 2026, teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell said they are targeting outright victories in the remaining Chase races to regain lost points. Hamlin finished third at Kansas — his 15th top-five of the 2026 season — and saw his Chase deficit grow to 26 points; Bell finished sixth, moved from fourth to third in the Chase standings, but saw his gap to Larson widen from 17 to 50 points.
Both drivers told USA Network they need wins to close the margin: Hamlin said, “Winning. That’s the only difference,” and Bell said he now believes he must win multiple of the remaining events to contend. They are next scheduled to race in the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ET (broadcast on USA Network, with radio on PRN and SiriusXM and streaming on HBO MAX).
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