Austin Cindric is on the bubble, 12 points ahead of Erik Jones, after the Sonoma 2026 race.
What happened at Sonoma?
The final road course race of the 2026 season saw Shane van Gisbergen jump three positions to 14th place, now +36pts over the cut-line.
Austin Cindric's position is precarious, with Erik Jones dropping three positions to 17th place.
Why it matters for Austin Cindric
Denny Hamlin's result was enough to erase the eight-point deficit and move him into the championship lead, a single point ahead.
This development puts pressure on Austin Cindric to perform well in the upcoming races.
What comes next?
The biggest mover in the standings, Shane van Gisbergen, will look to maintain his position inside the Chase.
Austin Cindric will aim to increase his lead over Erik Jones and secure his spot in the Chase.
The NASCAR Cup Series will continue with its next race, where Austin Cindric will face stiff competition from other drivers, including Denny Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen.
On 18 Jun, the NASCAR Cup points standings saw a significant shift, with Austin Cindric now on the bubble.
He finished the Sonoma 2026 race with a result that keeps him ahead of Erik Jones.
The Team Penske driver will look to build on this result and improve his position in the standings.
With 18 of 36 races completed, the championship is still wide open, and Austin Cindric will need to perform consistently to stay in contention.
The next race will be crucial for Austin Cindric, as he looks to increase his lead and secure his spot in the Chase.
Austin Cindric's performance at Sonoma 2026 has set him up for a challenging but exciting rest of the season.
He will face tough competition from other drivers, but his current position gives him a good chance of making it into the Chase.
The NASCAR Cup Series will continue to be closely contested, with Austin Cindric and other drivers battling it out for the top spots.