At the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., much of the discussion surrounding the 2026 Chase has focused on the new format as well as key drivers like Denny Hamlin and Carson Hocevar. During our yearly anonymous poll of Chase drivers, we posed questions mainly about those subjects. Drivers completed a brief survey privately, ensuring responses were confidential before tallying the results after media day.
One key question was about the lowest seed that drivers consider a genuine championship threat. This season’s seeding reset means the 16th seed only trails the leader by 100 points, leading to speculation about how deep contenders could come from. According to the poll, Ryan Preece, seeded 16th, was the top choice with four votes, despite many doubting his chances after an early penalty. Other drivers mentioned included William Byron (13th seed), Bubba Wallace (14th), Christopher Bell (7th), and several others across various mid-level seedings. Preece expressed pride in defying expectations, especially after overcoming a 25-point Daytona penalty.
When asked which Chase driver would be the least desirable drafting partner at Talladega, a race known for its critical drafting alliances, Carson Hocevar was the clear selection, receiving nine votes. Other drivers receiving fewer mentions were Daniel Suárez, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Bubba Wallace.
Regarding whether 2026 will be the year Denny Hamlin finally claims his first championship title after 20 Chases, the majority were skeptical—twelve said “no,” three said “yes,” and one did not answer. This reflects the mixed sentiment around Hamlin’s quest for his elusive championship.
On the topic of Hamlin’s podcast, which the author admits to listening to weekly, most drivers said they don’t regularly tune in—nine “no,” four “yes,” and three “sometimes,” the latter responses written in since the survey only offered “yes” or “no” options.
The survey also identified six Chase drivers who have not yet won a race this year but are considered likely future winners. Christopher Bell led with 11 votes, followed by Kyle Larson and William Byron with seven each, then Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace with three apiece, and Austin Cindric with two. Bell himself believes a win is imminent, citing seven second-place finishes as proof of being close.
For a lighter question about selecting a walk-out song for Carson Hocevar at Bristol—given his reputation for aggressive moves—answers included “Barbie Girl,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Not As Good As I Once Was,” and “Baby Shark,” among others. Some drivers declined to answer or made dismissive comments, highlighting Hocevar’s polarizing presence in the field.
Fan Take: This survey offers a fascinating glimpse into the mindset and dynamics among NASCAR’s top competitors heading into the 2026 Chase. Understanding who drivers see as threats, allies, or wildcards not only builds anticipation for the races ahead but also shows the intense competition and personalities that keep fans hooked on the sport.
Source: www.foxsports.com
