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Phoenix Raceway still has shortcomings, but the 2026 fall race delivered a dramatic championship shakeup that could define NASCAR's new Chase format.

Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney made major championship gains at Phoenix, while Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin suffered costly tire failures.

Tire failures for Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin dramatically changed the NASCAR Chase at Phoenix, highlighting the difficult balance between aggressive setups and durability.

Corey Heim climbed from 36th to fifth at Phoenix Raceway, delivering another impressive Cup Series performance in a part-time entry for 23XI Racing.

Tyler Reddick won his sixth race of 2026 at Phoenix, while Kyle Larson's tire failure reduced his NASCAR Chase lead to just five points over Christopher Bell.

Chase Briscoe has won back-to-back NASCAR Chase races and reduced his championship deficit by 58 points, raising comparisons to Tony Stewart's legendary 2011 title run.

Chase Briscoe continued his championship comeback at Charlotte while Kyle Larson extended his lead and several Chase contenders suffered costly setbacks.

NASCAR's return to Charlotte's oval delivered excellent racing, but HFTS believes the Roval still has value as part of a more diverse schedule.

Chase Briscoe's pit crew delivered the decisive stop at Charlotte, helping him beat Christopher Bell and potentially changing the NASCAR championship picture.

Chase Briscoe wins his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race, beating Christopher Bell by 0.029 seconds in a thrilling Charlotte photo finish.

HFTS watched the Las Vegas race both in person and on television, revealing how much passing deeper in the field never made the broadcast.

Chase Briscoe scored 75 points at Las Vegas and cut 39 points from his championship deficit with five races remaining in The Chase.

Chase Briscoe made a massive championship gain at Las Vegas while Kyle Larson strengthened his lead and Denny Hamlin missed a major opportunity.

After experiencing the brutal Nevada heat firsthand, HFTS believes NASCAR should move the fall Las Vegas race later and finish under the lights.

Chase Briscoe swept both stages and led 175 laps at Las Vegas before surviving a late charge from championship leader Kyle Larson.

Kasey Kahne is reportedly closing in on a deal to race full time for Spire Motorsports in the 2027 NASCAR Truck Series, ending a nine-year absence from full-time NASCAR competition.

Kyle Larson dominated the front at Kansas, but drivers including Briscoe, Blaney and Cindric made major gains deeper in the field that were easy to miss.

Kyle Larson entered The Chase seventh and has climbed to a 26-point championship lead with two wins and four consecutive top-five finishes.

Kyle Larson scored a perfect 76 points at Kansas while Austin Cindric surged to second and several NASCAR Chase contenders lost major championship ground.

Brad Keselowski will leave RFK Racing after the 2026 season, ending a five-year run as driver and co-owner while leaving his NASCAR future undecided.