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Three big questions ahead of the Freeway Insurance 500

There's only four races left in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, and for the first time since 2019, the fall race at Phoenix Raceway is not the season finale.

By Samuel Stubbs · Yardbarker

Published: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 2:40 AM

Key Things to Know

Samuel Stubbs highlights three key championship questions ahead of Sunday's Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
Denny Hamlin sits second in the standings, 49 points behind leader Kyle Larson entering the event.
Ryan Blaney trails Larson by 85 points but has won the previous two Cup races at Phoenix.

The Story in 60 Seconds

With only four races remaining in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Phoenix Raceway will host the 33rd race of the campaign, the Freeway Insurance 500, on Sunday. Writer Samuel Stubbs outlines three major questions surrounding contenders Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Briscoe as they attempt to chase down points leader Kyle Larson.

Hamlin sits 49 points behind Larson and seeks redemption after heartbreak at the track in 2025, while Blaney enters 85 points back seeking his third consecutive Phoenix victory. Meanwhile, Briscoe sits fourth after back-to-back wins at Las Vegas and Charlotte, aiming to maintain his championship momentum heading into Talladega.

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Three big questions ahead of the Freeway Insurance 500

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