By the Numbers: Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin have spent much of 2026 trading statistical advantages -- and now they sit first and second in The Chase presented by Mobil 1. With the championship fight intensifying and a pair of 1.5-mile races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway expected to highlight this heavyweight battle, here's how two of NASCAR's biggest title contenders stack up through 30 races in 2026.

MORE: Cup Series standings | 2026 season schedule 

Head-to-head record

Larson and Hamlin have finished first and second in eight Cup Series races, with Hamlin winning seven of those head-to-head results. Larson's lone victory in that scenario came at Bristol in April 2025.

1. Richmond (Sept. 10, 2016); Hamlin
2. New Hampshire (July 16, 2017); Hamlin
3. Darlington (Sept. 5, 2021); Hamlin
4. Kansas (May 7 2023); Hamlin
5. Bristol (Sept. 16, 2023); Hamlin
6. Dover (April 28, 2024); Hamlin
7. Bristol (April 14, 2025); Larson
8. Las Vegas (Oct. 12, 2025); Hamlin

Laps led in 2026

Larson: 1,118

Hamlin: 950

Larson leads the Cup Series in laps led through Kansas. Hamlin ranks third, behind Larson and Ryan Blaney.

Average finish in 2026

Hamlin: 8.4
Larson: 15.2

1.5-mile performance in 2026

Hamlin: 2.67 average finish, 393 laps led

Larson: 13.83 average finish, 412 laps led

Hamlin owns the consistency edge; Larson has led more laps.

Wins in the Next Gen era

Larson: 18 (two in 2026)
Hamlin: 18 (four in 2026)

Nobody has won more often since the Next Gen car debuted in 2022. Larson and Hamlin are tied atop the list, four wins clear of William Byron.

Top-five finishes in Next Gen era

Larson: 71 (13 this season)
Hamlin: 65 (15 this season)

Larson has the most top fives in the Next Gen era, with Hamlin second and Christopher Bell (63) in third.

Top-10 finishes in Next Gen era

Larson: 94 (17 this season)
Hamlin: 91 (20 this season)

Bell tops the list with 100 with Larson second and Hamlin tied for third with Blaney.

NASCAR Insights stats

Through 30 races, what do the more in-depth statistics say, according to NASCAR Insights?

Passing: Hamlin 3rd; Larson 8th

Defense: Larson 2nd; Hamlin 4th

Speed: Hamlin 1st; Larson 3rd

Restarts: Larson 2nd; Hamlin 8th

Pit crew: Larson 1st; Hamlin 8th

Larson outranks Hamlin 3-2.

Final count

The raw categories remain remarkably close. Larson owns the edge in laps led and the Next Gen top-five/top-10 totals; Hamlin owns the better 2026 average finish and the stronger 1.5-mile consistency, while they are tied in Next Gen wins.

The most important number, for now: Larson leads Hamlin by 26 points in The Chase.