Corey Hardison delivered the emotional moment of the young 2026 season Sunday at Circuit of the Americas, earning his first career Victory Lane Racing Cup Series win in his 182nd start. The No. 90 Ford scored a season-high 237 Race Points, edging Andrew Thornton via the official tie-breaker to secure 65 league points in Race #795. After years of steady participation, Hardison finally converted — and did it in dramatic fashion at one of the most technical tracks on the schedule.
Top Five – DuraMAX Grand Prix (Race 795)
Corey Hardison – 237 (Ford)
Andrew Thornton – 237 (Chevrolet)
Kevin Sullivan – 234 (Toyota)
Ron Blackman – 234 (Chevrolet)
Steve Stone – 233 (Chevrolet)
Just four Race Points separated first from fourth. Sullivan’s podium marks a major rebound, while Blackman and Stone continued stacking elite finishes.
Biggest Mover
Corey Hardison (+24)
The win didn’t just earn a trophy — it launched Hardison from outside the top five to sixth in points. No driver gained more ground at COTA.
Biggest Loser
Jedd Gardner (-17)
Gardner’s 48th-place finish (168 Race Points) resulted in the largest drop in the standings. In a season where the field is tightly packed, one rough week can erase early stability quickly.
Championship Picture After Three Races
Ron Blackman now leads the standings with 116 points. He has not won in 2026 — but two top-four finishes and steady production have elevated him to the top.
Steve Stone sits second (110), Rob Kuczmarski is third (109), and Joseph Cardwell drops to fifth after a 45th-place finish. Three races. Three winners. Three different manufacturers.
And already, the +/- column is telling a story of volatility.
Phoenix is next. The field is tightening. And consistency is separating contenders from the rest.
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