Denny Hamlin has led 603 laps so far in 2026. He is the first driver to lead over 600 laps in the first 10 races of a season in the NextGen era:
Denny Hamlin (2026) - 603
Kyle Larson (2024) - 531
William Byron (2022) - 520
Kyle Larson (2025) - 506
Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond. Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCRβs stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.
We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers. He was 41 years old.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.
Lemme get this straight. @dennyhamlin could see the white flag at Kansas and they throw the yellow for Cody Ware but it's different when @chaseelliott is in the lead lmaoooo. #NASCAR
@SPEEDonFOX@KevinHarvick@wbuxtonofficial@IndyCarOnFOX@NASCARONFOX@TonyStewart just down the road from me in Columbus Indiana. Kids these days don't know how good he was in so many different types of racecars his prime, and the fact that he retired and now is kicking butt in NHRA is just absurd! Smoke is my all time GOAT. π
Denny Hamlin has led 603 laps so far in 2026. He is the first driver to lead over 600 laps in the first 10 races of a season in the NextGen era:
Denny Hamlin (2026) - 603
Kyle Larson (2024) - 531
William Byron (2022) - 520
Kyle Larson (2025) - 506