Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Hamlin falls 49 points behind Larson after Charlotte race
Denny Hamlin finished fifth in the NASCAR Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, while championship rival Kyle Larson placed sixth.
Hamlin still lost nine points to Larson because a pit road penalty cost him points in the first stage.
A crew member crossed the pit wall while trying to catch a tire rolling toward a neighboring pit box.
Hamlin is now 49 points behind Larson, while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell are also closing in after finishing first and second.
Hamlin said his car lacked speed over longer runs, especially as the track cooled, and that the team needed to execute better.
He described the race as a plateau rather than a missed chance to win.
The sources do not say what Hamlin or his team will do next beyond reviewing the race.
Denny Hamlin finished in the top five at Charlotte Motor Speedway but fell further behind Kyle Larson in the championship standings.
Hamlin is now 49 points behind Larson after losing nine points at Charlotte.
A pit road penalty cost Hamlin points in Stage 1 when a crew member fell over the wall while reaching for a rolling tire.
Hamlin said his car lacked long-run speed as track conditions changed.
Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell finished first and second, closing in on Hamlin.
- Who
- Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, title rivals in the NASCAR Cup championship.
- What
- Hamlin fell 49 points behind Larson after losing nine points at Charlotte.
- When
- After the Charlotte race; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- Why
- A pit road penalty cost Hamlin Stage 1 points, and he also struggled with long-run speed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We've just got to execute better, be a little faster, all of the above.
Just didn't have the long run speed that we needed.
Qualifying was rained out, placing Hamlin 12th and giving him an unfavorable pit stall.
A crew member fell over the wall while reaching for a tire rolling into a neighboring pit box, resulting in a pit road penalty.
Hamlin finished in the top five, while Larson placed sixth and Briscoe and Bell finished first and second.
Hamlin was 49 points behind Larson, nine points further back than before Charlotte.
- Hamlin's championship deficit
- 49 points behind Kyle Larson
- Points lost at Charlotte
- 9 points
- Hamlin's finish
- Top five
- Larson's finish
- Sixth
- Stage 1 penalty
- Crew member fell over the wall reaching for a rolling tire
Sources
Related news
McLaren tells Norris and Piastri to put team first after Singapore crash
Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix for first time
Antonelli could clinch F1 title at United States Grand Prix
Chase Briscoe beats Christopher Bell by 0.029 seconds at Charlotte
Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix for first time
Hamilton takes responsibility for Ferrari strategy error in Singapore
Hamlin finishes fifth at Charlotte as championship gap widens
Engel wins DTM finale as Preining secures second championship
Chase Briscoe beats Christopher Bell by 0.029 seconds at Charlotte
Larson extends NASCAR Cup Chase lead to 49 points with four races left
Red Bull named title sponsor of Adelaide’s first MotoGP race
