Who's Chasing Who? Nobody Knows Quite Yet Three weeks into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, fans are more focused on figuring out which drivers are in contention than worrying about allegations of cheating. The early-season schedule has left many questions unanswered, as the competition remains unclear. Tyler Reddick leads the standings after securing three consecutive wins to start the year, a feat no driver had achieved before. His success highlights the strength of his team, 23XI Racing, and his own exceptional skill behind the wheel. However, Reddick’s dominance so far has come at drafting tracks like Daytona International Speedway and Circuit of the Americas, which make up only 10 of the 36 races on the Cup calendar. This limited exposure to different track types complicates predictions about his long-term competitiveness. The upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway marks a shift in the schedule, as it is the first traditional oval on the calendar. This race, along with others like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, and Martinsville Speedway, will provide a clearer picture of which teams have the speed and execution to succeed. These races are seen as critical for determining the true standings, as they represent the core of the season’s challenges. Defending series champion Kyle Larson, despite his reputation, is currently 15th in the standings, while his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman trails further back at 36th. Both drivers are expected to remain in that range after Phoenix, as Bowman will miss the race. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell are also positioned around 23rd and 24th, respectively, with Chase Briscoe of JGR in 27th.#phoenix_raceway #tyler_reddick #23xi_racing #daytona_international_speedway #chase_ellipsis
