Chase Elliott is on fire in 2026. The Hendrick Motorsports star claimed his second victory of the season on May 3, powering through the field to win the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. It was a statement performance that had fans on their feet and his rivals taking notice.

Elliott led 87 laps and captured Stage 2 before holding off Denny Hamlin on a dramatic late-race restart. The tension built after Corey Heim spun out, bringing out a caution that set up the final sprint to the finish. But Elliott kept his cool, executed the restart perfectly, and drove away to secure his second career win at the iconic 1.5-mile track.

This victory comes just one month after Elliott's impressive win at Martinsville, proving the No. 9 team has found another gear. With two wins already this season, Elliott is positioning himself as a serious championship contender.

Let's break down the biggest winners and losers from an action-packed weekend in the Lone Star State.

The Winners

Chase Elliott leads the list, obviously. But Denny Hamlin also deserves credit for a strong runner-up finish, showing that Joe Gibbs Racing has the speed to contend week in and week out. Several other drivers turned heads with solid performances throughout the 400-mile event.

The Losers

Not everyone left Texas smiling. A few playoff hopefuls saw their days end early or struggled with handling issues that cost them valuable track position. The unforgiving nature of Texas Motor Speedway claimed its share of victims.

As the season rolls on, every race matters more than the last. Elliott's hot streak has him sitting pretty, but with the intensity of NASCAR racing, nothing is guaranteed. Stay tuned for more action as the Cup Series heads to the next stop on the schedule.