NASCAR Standings 2026: Updated Points After the Daytona 500

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Carelli | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 3:02 PM ET

The NASCAR season is now set in motion as drivers have completed the Daytona 500. Next week, the Cup Series heads to EchoPark Speedway, and over the next few weeks, the standings will begin to shape up. Its current look will not last long, but certain drivers have gotten a nice head start on their competition.

In 1st place is none other than your Daytona 500 Champion, Tyler Reddick. He has accumulated 58 points, of which 55 came from the victory. The other three points come from his 8th-place Stage Two result.

NASCAR Standings: Top 10

Tyler Reddick reaches the finish line with a multiple car accident right behind him. The 2026 Daytona 500 held Feb.15 at Daytona International Speedway.© Tim Shortt/ News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tyler Reddick: 58 Pts
Joey Logano: 46 Pts
Chase Elliott: 43 Pts
Zane Smith: 41 Pts
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: 39 Pts
Brad Keselowski: 39 Pts
Chris Buescher: 39 Pts
Bubba Wallace: 37 Pts
Carson Hocevar: 36 Pts
Ryan Blaney: 36 Pts

Looking at these standings, much of the success now comes from race results. Only one driver in the Top 10 had all three stages in the Top 10 (Chris Buescher). Zane Smith is the only driver in the Top 6 who finished any better than P6 in Stage One or Two.

Ryan Blaney is the one driver in here who saved his standing after his last-lap wreck. Despite ultimately finishing in 27th place, Blaney would finish both Stage One and Two in the Top 10.

They Have Some Work To Do

Chase Briscoe had high hopes that ultimately fell flat. Despite starting on the front row, Briscoe would wreck. His team recognized the importance of finishing the race, and they would do just that. Despite finishing last among running cars, Briscoe would achieve two points. Nonetheless, he is 37th/38 in the standings.

Alex Bowman would be another loser due to the wreckage. Unlike Briscoe, Bowman would not return to the track. However, he would finish P9 in Stage One, thereby earning points to move up to 36th in the standings, not 38th. Those points may seem little now, but they may loom large as the year goes on.

Denny Hamlin would have a rough day. Despite running up front for quite some time, Hamlin would finish the race in 31st place, running. He sits 33th in the current standings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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