The NASCAR Cup Series has eight races left in the regular season and the year has churned out several major surprises so far. The top 16 in points will lock into the Chase after the 26th race, and the points will be reset after the regular season. Tyler Reddick, who was leading the field in points ahead of Sonoma, gave up his lead to Denny Hamlin.
Meanwhile, the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is entering its final five races before the Chase field is set. Justin Allgaier leads the championship standings after Sonoma with a comfortable advantage
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Here are five of the biggest shocks of the 2026 NASCAR season so far.
#5 23XI Racing becoming the team to beat
One of the biggest surprises of this year has been the rise of 23XI Racing. Tyler Reddick opened the season with three straight victories at the Daytona 500, Atlanta, and Circuit of the Americas. No driver had ever won the first three Cup races of a season before.
He has stayed near the top of the standings with over a three digit lead and remained the points leader after the first 17 races. The team added another victory when Corey Heim earned his first Cup Series victory at the San Diego Street Course. The rookie held off several experienced drivers and gave 23XI another reason to celebrate during an already remarkable season.
#4 Shane van Gisbergen’s progress on ovals
Shane van Gisbergen’s improvement on oval tracks has surprised many fans this season. The New Zealander built his reputation as one of the best road course racers in the field but many questioned whether he could compete on ovals.
SVG scored his first top-5 finish at an oval in Nashville and other strong finishes at Atlanta, Charlotte and other intermediate ovals have lifted him into Chase contention, 14th in the points standings after his second straight Cup win at Sonoma Raceway last Sunday.
#3 Daniel Suarez reviving his career with Spire Motorsports
Daniel Suarez, who was let go from Trackhouse Racing last season, has enjoyed one of the most consistent seasons of his Cup career after joining Spire Motorsports. Many expected the team to spend most weekends fighting in the middle of the field. Suarez changed that outlook with regular top-10 finishes and steady points scoring.
His speed has kept him inside the NASCAR Cup Chase cutline, and he also broke his winless streak with a Coca-Cola 600 victory.
#2 Justin Allgaier’s 2026 comeback from retirement plans
Justin Allgaier planned to retire after the 2026 season. Then the former NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion started winning at a remarkable pace.
His success has made him reconsider retirement. The 40-year-old collected five wins by mid-June and is leading the series with over 200 points ahead of Jesse Love in second place.
#1 Ty Gibbs finally breaking through
Ty Gibbs finally broke through with his first NASCAR Cup Series victory after carrying the weight of big expectations and criticism for four years. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won at Bristol in April.
He held off Ryan Blaney in overtime and took the checkered flag for his first career Cup victory in his 131st start. The 23-year-old also had seven consecutive races with finishes inside the top 9 between early March and mid-April and is ranked fourth in the NASCAR Cup points standings ahead of the Chicagoland Speedway weekend.
Edited by Palak Gupta
