The 2026 NASCAR standings shifted in a major way after races at Circuit of the Americas and St. Petersburg. With the season-long Chase format returning, early points already carry significant weight across all three national series.
Tyler Reddick now holds a 70-point lead in the NASCAR Cup Series. Austin sits on top of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings. After the series made its street course debut, Chandler Smith emerged from St. Petersburg as the points leader in the Craftsman Truck Series. With Phoenix Raceway set for March 8, the early championship picture is starting to take shape.
NASCAR Cup Series Standings After COTA
Tyler Reddick leads the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings with 186 points through three races. He has started the season with three straight victories. Each race has also resulted in a top-five and top-10 finish, keeping his record perfect through three events.
A start for the ages!@TylerReddick becomes the first driver in history to win the first three races of a season with this @NASCARatCOTA triumph! pic.twitter.com/Q64fBAHGWs
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 1, 2026
Bubba Wallace ranks second with 116 points. He trails Reddick by 70 points. Chase Elliott sits third at 116 points. Ryan Blaney holds fourth with 100.
Shane van Gisbergen and Joey Logano are tied for fifth with 90 points each. Daniel Suarez stands seventh with 87 points. AJ Allmendinger follows with 86. Michael McDowell has 83 points. Carson Hocevar rounds out the top 10 with 82.
These standings reflect results after the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Under the full-season Chase format, the early gap gives Reddick breathing room entering Phoenix Raceway.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings
Austin Hill leads the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings with 154 points after three races. He has one win this season.
Jesse Love sits second with 126 points. Justin Allgaier ranks third at 115. Sheldon Creed holds fourth with 106 points and one win. Carson Kvapil completes the top five with 95 points.
Rajah Caruth stands sixth with 90 points. Sammy Smith and Corey Day each have 86. Parker Retzlaff holds ninth with 81 points. Sam Mayer rounds out the top 10 at 78.
These standings reflect results after the February 28 race at Circuit of the Americas. Consistency has separated Hill from the field early in the 2026 NASCAR standings.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Standings After St. Petersburg Street Race
The Craftsman Truck Series made history with its first street race in St. Petersburg on February 28. After three races, Chandler Smith leads the standings with 152 points and one win. He has finished inside the top 10 in all three events.
Ben Rhodes ranks second with 118 points. Ty Majeski follows with 102. Gio Ruggiero sits fourth with 98. Layne Riggs moved to fifth with 96 points after his St. Petersburg victory.
Kaden Honeycutt has 87 points in the sixth. Andres Perez holds 85. Stewart Friesen stands eighth with 70. Christian Eckes has 69. Justin Haley rounds out the top 10 with 67 points.
The 2026 NASCAR standings will shift again on March 8 at Phoenix Raceway. With the season-long format in place, every race continues to shape the championship fight from the very start.
2026 NASCAR Standings After COTA and St. Petersburg