NASCAR Charlotte: Briscoe beats Bell by 0.029s, Larson stays top
The newsroomUpdated on October 12, 20264 minNASCAR Cup at Charlotte: Chase Briscoe wins the Bank of America 400 by a whisker over teammate Christopher Bell. Kyle Larson still leads the Chase standings.
Key point
Chase Briscoe beat teammate Christopher Bell by 0.029 seconds at Charlotte, the closest finish of the 2026 NASCAR Cup season, and Kyle Larson still leads the Chase.
Chase Briscoe won the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte on Sunday 11 October, a NASCAR Cup round, by 0.029 seconds over teammate Christopher Bell. The two Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas crossed the line side by side: it is the closest finish of the 2026 season and the second-closest in Charlotte's history. In the championship, Kyle Larson keeps the Chase lead with four races to go.
A photo finish between teammates
In the closing laps Bell closed fast on Briscoe and dived to the inside in the final corner. The two Toyotas touched on the exit of Turn 4 and slid sideways. Both drivers kept control, and the race was decided in a drag to the line.
Briscoe, in the No. 19, takes his eighth Cup win and his second in a row. Bell, in the No. 20, had not expected to be in the fight: he thought he was out of it after a big slide with 35 laps to go. He has eight runner-up finishes this season for a single win, at Darlington (Southern 500). He debriefed the race with his crew chief afterwards.
The Charlotte top 10
- Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing), 0.029s behind
- Ryan Blaney (Team Penske)
- Josh Berry (Wood Brothers)
- Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports)
- Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse)
- Tyler Reddick (23XI)
- Joey Logano (Team Penske)
- Chris Buescher (RFK Racing)
A busy 267-lap race
With qualifying rained out, the grid was set by the metric, with Larson on pole. He won the first stage and Bell the second. In stage one Alex Bowman lost control trying to pass Bubba Wallace, which also took out William Byron; all three drivers are uninjured. Later Hamlin and Larson made contact and Larson dropped to seventh before recovering. Shane van Gisbergen, who started tenth, finished seventh, his second straight top 10 at Charlotte.
Larson stays ahead, four races remain
Despite his worst finish of the Chase (sixth), Larson extended his lead: Hamlin is 49 points back, Bell 51 and Briscoe 65. Four races remain: Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville and Homestead-Miami. His team calls it a reality check, and he says he will not feel comfortable until the title is decided.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Who won the NASCAR Cup race at Charlotte on 11 October 2026?
Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) won the Bank of America 400, his second win in a row and the eighth of his career, ahead of teammate Christopher Bell.
What was the margin between Briscoe and Bell?
0.029 seconds, the closest finish of the 2026 Cup season.
Who leads the Chase after Charlotte?
Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports). Denny Hamlin is 49 points back, Christopher Bell 51 and Chase Briscoe 65.
Which races are left?
Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville and Homestead-Miami.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — Briscoe wins photo finish over Bell
- Motorsport.com — Larson takes command with four to go
- Speedcafe — Charlotte results, van Gisbergen seventh
- Motorsport.com — Bell reacts to the photo finish
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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