NASCAR is officially back, and the 2026 Cup Series season is filled with storylines. A new championship format, new tracks, and a rising 19 year old rookie are just a few of the reasons fans have plenty to be excited about. With the Daytona 500 kicking things off, it is time to make some bold predictions for the year ahead.

Kyle Larson enters the season as the defending champion, but repeating in today’s NASCAR is extremely difficult. The field is deep, and several drivers are hungry to take the crown. This year, I believe the championship will go to Ryan Blaney.

Blaney is my pick to win the 2026 Cup Series title. Even with terrible luck in 2025, he still finished sixth in the standings and collected 19 top 10 finishes. That proves the speed is there. If things balance out and the bad breaks disappear, Blaney and Team Penske could be the team to beat when it matters most.

Chase Elliott is always a threat in any format. His smooth driving style and ability to stay consistent make him a perfect fit for a long playoff run. Denny Hamlin has all the motivation in the world after coming up short last season. With everything he went through in the offseason, this could be a redemption year. Christopher Bell continues to show race winning speed and has proven he can dominate stretches of the season. If he can close strong, he will be in the fight at Homestead.

As for playoff drivers, I see the usual contenders making it in. Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, and Chase Briscoe should all find their way into the postseason. I also believe Carson Hocevar breaks through and makes the playoffs this year. He has improved each season and looks ready to take the next step.

One of the biggest surprises in 2026 could be RFK Racing. Chris Buescher has quietly become one of the most consistent drivers in the garage. If the new format rewards consistency and strategy, RFK could have multiple cars contending deep into the playoffs.

On the flip side, I believe Kyle Busch could once again find himself on the playoff bubble. While he still has the talent of a champion, the competition is fierce and there is little room for mistakes. It would not be shocking to see him narrowly miss out again.

The 2026 season has all the ingredients for drama. Veterans are chasing redemption. Young drivers are ready to prove themselves. And the new format adds another layer of unpredictability.

In the end, I see Ryan Blaney standing above the rest and capturing the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Now the only thing left to do is drop the green flag and find out who is right.