Tyler Reddick eyes Cup lead return at EchoPark Speedway on Sunday

Tyler Reddick is chasing a Cup Series points surge at EchoPark Speedway on Sunday night, aiming to erase Denny Hamlin’s 44-point advantage.

What happened to Reddick’s points lead?

Reddick stormed to five wins in the first nine races this season, including a victory at EchoPark Speedway on 22 Feb 2026: one week after his Daytona 500 triumph. That surge lifted him to a dominant early points lead. But the tide turned in recent weeks. Reddick has finished 25th or worse in four of the last five Cup Series races, including a 36th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway last weekend. His points deficit to Hamlin now stands at 44 with six races left before the playoffs.

Why EchoPark Speedway matters for Reddick

EchoPark Speedway has been a springboard for Reddick this year. He won there in February and boasts two wins in three starts on drafting tracks in 2026. Reddick insists his team is stronger in the summer race at the reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, which now operates as EchoPark Speedway. “We’re still plenty good in the spring,” he said, “but what we do well at EchoPark Speedway really shows up in the summer.”

Reddick’s confidence stems from his handling strengths, which thrive on tracks where mechanical grip and car control decide outcomes. He added: “Our strength typically is handling and I feel like the more that’s in play the better I do with these kinds of races.”

How Hamlin pulled ahead

Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, has tightened his grip on the points lead. He finished third last week at Chicagoland while Reddick struggled home in 36th. Hamlin’s consistency contrasts with Reddick’s recent slide. “For us to still be second in points,” Reddick said, “all things considered I think most people with a race car would do anything to have that.”

What’s next for the Cup title fight

The points gap is narrow enough for Reddick to stay in the hunt. He sits second, just 44 points behind Hamlin. The next race at EchoPark Speedway offers a chance to regain momentum. Reddick’s team believes the track’s high-speed, drafting nature suits their strengths.

Meanwhile, Kyle Larson is chasing his first Atlanta win since February 2025 and a 43-race winless streak. Larson, a two-time Cup champion, finished 34th last week after a spin dropped him out of contention. He’s sixth in points, only one behind Chase Elliott.

NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge also rolls on. Hamlin faces teammate Christopher Bell in the third round, while Elliott meets Chase Briscoe. The winner of the five-race, bracket-style tournament pockets $1 million. The championship round is scheduled for 26 Jul at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.