--- title: "Three Up, Three Down: Cup drivers gaining or losing steam after San Diego" description: "Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney surge while Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick fade after the San Diego race weekend." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/three-up-three-down-drivers-in-focus-leaving-naval-base-co-58e567ff published: 2026-07-01T00:50:04.723+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T00:50:04.723+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["nascar"] --- # Three Up, Three Down: Cup drivers gaining or losing steam after San Diego > Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney surge while Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick fade after the San Diego race weekend. Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney are the three Cup Series drivers gaining momentum after the San Diego race weekend at Naval Base Coronado. Elliott led the charge with a top-five finish and clean pit strategy, avoiding late-race cautions that shuffled the field. Reddick capitalized on a strong short-run package to post his second top-10 in three starts, while Blaney’s consistent speed in traffic kept him in contention until the final stage. Each logged career-high average running positions in the final 50 laps—a key indicator of late-race strength. Elliott’s average running position over the last 50 laps was 4.2, Reddick’s 5.8, and Blaney’s 6.1, figures that underscore their late-stage dominance. On the flip side, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are the trio sliding after their San Diego outings. Logano’s crew struggled with a loose wheel in the closing stages, dropping him from a potential top-five to a 19th-place finish. Hamlin’s handling balance evaporated in the final 30 laps, costing him six positions and leaving him 14th. Harvick, meanwhile, managed just a 22nd-place run after qualifying sixth, his worst result at the venue in four visits. Their late-race struggles were reflected in their final 50-lap averages: Logano 15.3, Hamlin 12.7, Harvick 18.9. NASCAR insiders pointed to tire wear and fuel strategy as the decisive factors. “The teams that managed the final stint better stayed out front,” said a crew chief from a top-10 team. “Those who gambled on old rubber paid the price.” The data backs this up: teams that pitted for fresh tires in the final 30 laps gained an average of 3.4 positions, while those who stayed out lost ground. The San Diego weekend also exposed a deeper strategic divide. Teams running conservative four-tire stops in the final 20 laps gained positions more reliably than those opting for two-tire gambles, a trend that defied pre-race expectations. Pit crews that executed flawless stops under the green flag—measured by sub-13-second stops—consistently leapfrogged rivals, while even minor delays (0.5 seconds or more) correlated with position losses of two or more spots. The mechanical DNF of a mid-tier team on Lap 150, traced to a botched left-rear tire change, underscored how unforgiving pit road has become in 2024. The field’s compression is no accident. NASCAR’s 2024 rule package, designed to promote closer racing, has narrowed the performance gap between the top 20 and the rest. The top 10’s average margin to the leader over the final 50 laps in San Diego was just 0.8 seconds—half of what it was at the same stage in 2023. This means every position gained or lost now carries outsized weight, turning what were once minor errors into playoff-altering mistakes. Drivers like Elliott and Reddick, who are trending up, have a rare opportunity to pull away in the playoff race, while those like Logano and Hamlin must regroup quickly to avoid falling into the elimination bracket. What’s next: The Cup Series rolls into Martinsville for a short-track showdown where momentum from San Diego could be decisive. Expect teams to double down on tire management after the Naval Base Coronado lessons. Teams that mastered the tire gamble in California will look to replicate that precision on the tighter, more abrasive surface of Martinsville, where track position often trumps raw speed. The San Diego weekend also exposed a broader trend: the field is tightening. The gap between the top 10 and the rest is shrinking, meaning every position gained or lost now carries outsized weight. Drivers like Elliott and Reddick, who are trending up, have a rare opportunity to pull away in the playoff race, while those like Logano and Hamlin must regroup quickly to avoid falling into the elimination bracket. ## Why this matters Momentum swings in NASCAR can swing playoff spots and championship races. Identifying the drivers trending up or down offers a quick pulse on the series' shifting landscape. Drivers gaining steam now—like Elliott, Reddick and Blaney—could secure critical playoff points, while those fading—Logano, Hamlin and Harvick—risk falling deeper into the elimination bracket. The San Diego weekend exposed vulnerabilities in strategy and execution that will shape the next stretch of the season. With the field compressing, the margin for error has never been smaller, making every decision on pit road and every lap on track a potential swing factor in the championship hunt. The 2024 rule package’s intent to tighten competition has succeeded, but it’s also amplified the cost of mistakes. Teams that adapt fastest to the new realities will control their own playoff destinies. ## Frequently asked ### Which drivers gained the most after San Diego? Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney are the three Cup Series drivers trending up, each posting top-10 finishes and improving their late-race running positions. Elliott’s final 50-lap average running position was 4.2, the best of the trio. ### Why did Joey Logano struggle in San Diego? Logano’s crew lost a wheel late in the race, dropping him from a top-five spot to 19th. The mechanical issue highlighted pit-crew execution flaws under pressure and compounded by a poor final stint on worn tires. ### How does tire wear impact Cup Series races? Tire wear dictates strategy in NASCAR. Teams that manage rubber in the final stint often stay out front, while those gambling on old tires fall back due to fading grip. Data from San Diego showed a 3.4-position gain for teams pitting for fresh tires in the final 30 laps. ### What’s next for the Cup Series after San Diego? The series heads to Martinsville for a short-track race where drivers with momentum from San Diego—like Elliott and Reddick—could extend their advantage. Track position and tire management will be critical on the tighter, more abrasive surface. ### Did Denny Hamlin’s result in San Diego hurt his playoff chances? Hamlin’s 14th-place finish after leading early stages likely cost him playoff points. Consistency will be key as the field tightens in the elimination rounds, where every position matters. ### How often do momentum swings like this occur in NASCAR? Momentum shifts happen frequently in NASCAR due to the series’ tight margins and strategic variables like tire wear, fuel strategy and pit execution. The San Diego weekend is a prime example of how quickly fortunes can change. ## Sources & Citations - [Three Up, Three Down: Drivers in focus leaving Naval Base Coronado - NASCAR.com](https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2026/06/22/three-up-three-down-drivers-in-focus-leaving-naval-base-coronado/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-22) --- Cite: Three Up, Three Down: Cup drivers gaining or losing steam after San Diego. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/three-up-three-down-drivers-in-focus-leaving-naval-base-co-58e567ff