RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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photo by: Reese Strickland
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday for the Dollar Tree 301 , the penultimate race of the 2026 regular season. With the Chase field beginning to take shape, every position will carry added importance as drivers fight to secure their postseason spots.
The 301-lap race will take place at the 1.058-mile “Magic Mile” in Loudon, New Hampshire, a track known for its flat layout and demanding braking zones.
Blaney Looks to Defend
One of the biggest storylines entering the weekend is Ryan Blaney , who returns to New Hampshire as the defending winner. Blaney has already secured his spot in the Chase and enters the weekend among the favorites to return to Victory Lane. He is also coming off a strong 2026 season that includes two wins and 16 top-10 finishes.
However, Blaney will have plenty of competition. Christopher Bell , Denny Hamlin , Joey Logano , Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe are among the drivers expected to challenge for the win.
Bell is especially worth watching. Despite seven runner-up finishes this season, he has yet to visit Victory Lane in 2026. New Hampshire could provide another opportunity for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver to finally break through.
Reddick Starts From the Pole
Tyler Reddick will lead the field to the green flag after winning Saturday’s qualifying session. Josh Berry will start alongside him on the front row, with William Byron and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top four.
Reddick’s pole gives him an important advantage, but maintaining track position over 301 laps will be a completely different challenge.
Playoff Picture Adds Pressure
With only two regular season races remaining, the battle for the 16-driver Chase field is becoming increasingly intense. New Hampshire represents the final opportunity for several drivers to gain a major advantage before the regular-season finale at Daytona next weekend.
Weather could also play a role. NASCAR moved Sunday’s start time up to 2 p.m. ET because of the threat of inclement weather, and wet weather tires will be available if conditions become an issue.
The Dollar Tree 301 should provide a tense afternoon of short-track racing, strategy and playoff drama. With Blaney looking to repeat, Reddick starting from the pole and several drivers still fighting for their postseason lives, New Hampshire could be one of the most important races of the regular season.
Prediction Blaney
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