LARSON CUTS HAMLIN'S NASCAR CHASE LEAD TO NINE POINTS

Denny Hamlin held a 25-point lead over his rivals when NASCAR's Cup Series play-off round, known as the Chase, began at Darlington, according to reports on the standings. Two race weekends later, that advantage has narrowed sharply, with Kyle Larson closing to within nine points of the top spot. Larson, who drives Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 car, won at Gateway last weekend, ending a 51-race winless run and collecting 73 points in the process. Hamlin, who drives Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 11 car, had been expected to extend his lead given his past record at tracks on the Chase schedule. NASCAR insider Kelsey Christman said on X that the current play-off format rewards consistency, meaning Larson could win the title without needing another win.

Larson began the Chase as the seventh seed but has emerged as a title contender after two rounds. At Darlington he finished in the top five, led a race-high 99 laps and earned nine stage points, then followed that with ten stage points and the win at Gateway. Hamlin showed top-five pace at Darlington but fell back after a troubled pit stop following the second stage left him running in traffic. He was then involved in a collision with Michael McDowell, contributing to two below-average finishes in a row for his team. Christman compared Larson's position to Matt Kenseth, who won the 2003 NASCAR title with only one victory, before the Chase format existed.

A separate report on the sport's title odds said Hamlin remains the favourite to win the Chase, while Larson is the driver closing in on him. Reports on the standings said Larson's team has gained momentum at a key point in the season, while Hamlin's team faces pressure following back-to-back below-average finishes. Christman said Larson does not need to win again to take the title, provided he continues finishing consistently near the front and collecting stage points. The Chase format, which did not exist when Kenseth won his title, incorporates stage points earned partway through races as part of each driver's overall tally. No further Chase results beyond Darlington and Gateway were reported in the coverage.