The battle for the NASCAR Cup Series title is never truly decided by the regular-season standings. While fans naturally focus on the top five drivers in points, especially with the return of a revised Chase format, the playoff structure can still reward drivers outside the top five in points for getting hot at the right time. A perfectly timed hot streak completely levels the playing field and creates a prime opportunity for a few lethal NASCAR Championship contenders to steal the spotlight and make a serious run at the cup.
Several high-caliber racers find themselves sitting just behind the frontrunners in the standings. Armed with powerhouse equipment, veteran crew chiefs, and extensive postseason experience, these multi-time winners possess every tool required to climb the ladder. Here are four NASCAR Championship contenders that currently sit outside the top five in points to watch closely once The Chase begins.
2026 NASCAR Championship Contenders Currently Outside the Top Five
1. Chase Briscoe
Moving over to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, Chase Briscoe has adjusted exceptionally well to his new equipment, consistently locking down heavy stage points and he only seems to get better as the season goes on, just as he did last year.
If Briscoe can maximize track position on short tracks and intermediate ovals where Joe Gibbs Racing traditionally holds an aerodynamic advantage, he can climb the standings quickly. Briscoe also finished third overall in the final standings last year, proving he excels under intense pressure. With a win under his belt and momentum on his side, Briscoe is one of the easiest choices of NASCAR Championship contenders that currently sit outside the top five in points.
2. Kyle Larson
The defending champion Kyle Larson has had a heavily up-and-down season, finding himself uncharacteristically buried in the middle of the top ten in total points. Larson and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 team have displayed blazing raw speed in recent weeks, but late-race incidents and DNFs have masked their true potential.
However, as a multi-time Cup Series champion, Larson knows exactly how to build momentum when the postseason schedule transitions to high-wear tracks. Other top teams are hyper-aware that if Larson cleans up his execution, he jumps to the top of the list of dangerous NASCAR Championship contenders. Another thing to note is that Hendrick Motorsports has not peaked yet and they still have a few weeks to get things figured out. If they do, Larson would likely be the main beneficiary.
3. Christopher Bell
Consistently viewed as one of the elite tier-one drivers, Christopher Bell has flown somewhat quietly under the media radar despite racking up numerous top-five finishes. Like Briscoe, Bell only seems to be getting better as the season goes on.
If Bell can avoid high-risk situations he will likely collect critical stage points across multiple stages if the speed he currently has translates to The Chase, which would help him quickly make his way toward the top of the standings. Bell is famous for stepping up when absolutely needed and not many drivers can match his composure in critical situations. Because his team thrives on the majority of the tracks remaining on the schedule, Bell remains one of the top NASCAR Championship contenders that can get hot at the right time.
4. Joey Logano
This one can surely be viewed as a long shot because Joey Logano is one bad week away from returning to the bubble, but Logano is heating up and you can never count out the Team Penske veteran. He and Paul Wolfe seem to prioritize postseason setup development over regular-season point totals, turning them into a lethal autumn threat. When it comes to recent years, we usually see a completely different No. 22 team in the final 10 races of the season compared to the regular season.
Now with the revised Chase format, this slow start to the season does mean Logano will begin The Chase in a real hole assuming he does get in, so it is important for him to continue to climb the standings before the end of the regular season while momentum is on his side. If there’s anyone who can make up a large deficit in 10 races by getting hot at the right time it’s certainly Logano, and it appears him and his No. 22 team could be figuring things out at the right time.
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