2026 DNQ Net Positive Cup Series Preview
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- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
2026 DNQ Net Positive Cup Series Preview
Life After Showalter
For the first time in a long time, the DNQ Net Positive Cup Series grid will roll into Millbridge without Robert Showalter as a full-time Cup presence – and that changes everything.
Showalter exits full-time Cup competition as the 2X reigning champion, edging Jimmy Allen in 2025 . Curtis Markham, Jeremy Murphy, Thomas Markham, Richard Reeves, Dean Wyrick, and Alfredo Hidalgo rounded out a deep top-eight that kept the title picture honest all season. 2025 Cup Points
With the all-time DNQ wins leader stepping back, the Cup Series suddenly feels wide open.
The Early Favorite: Jimmy Allen
On paper, Jimmy Allen becomes the default title favorite. He finished just a whisper behind Showalter in the 2025 standings and was the only driver to really go toe-to-toe with him over the full season. 2025 Cup Points
Allen already has the Knupp Cup and Clements on his résumé, he knows how to win on every layout, and he’s been one of the most consistent threats in the series for years. Take Showalter out of the weekly equation and Jimmy instantly becomes the guy everyone else measures themselves against.
The Markham Factor & The Rookie Rocket
Don’t sleep on the Markham camp.
Curtis Markham finished third in points and quietly put together one of the most complete seasons in the field.
Thomas Markham wasn’t far behind in fifth and showed enough speed to be a regular podium presence. 2025 Cup Points
If either team finds just a little more qualifying speed, we could be talking about a Markham vs. Allen title fight by mid-summer.
Then there’s Jeremy Murphy. Fourth in the 2025 standings and clearly the breakout “Rookie Rocket,” Murphy proved he can win, run up front, and make life miserable for the veterans on restarts. 2025 Cup Points With Showalter gone, there’s a realistic path where the 555 doesn’t just contend—he becomes the next Cup standard.
Solid Sleepers: Reeves, Wyrick, Hidalgo & Co.
The middle of the top ten is loaded with drivers ready to make a jump:
Richard Reeves and Dean Wyrick both had quietly strong years, finishing sixth and seventh in points.
Alfredo Hidalgo (eighth) is trending the right way and now has enough Cup reps to start thinking about more than just top-tens. 2025 Cup Points
Add in wild cards and rookies like Mike Conarino, Brandon Hughes, Kyle Beattie, and Patrick Field—all of whom showed flashes in limited starts—and the 2026 grid has more potential winners than available victory lane photos.
What to Expect in 2026
Without Showalter anchoring the field every Monday, the Cup Series is going to feel different:
More parity at the front – Allen, Murphy, the Markhams, and a handful of sleepers all have a believable path to the title.
More chaos in the points – the automatic “Showalter safety valve” is gone; bad nights will hurt more, good nights will swing the standings harder.
More urgency – several veterans know this is their best shot yet to grab a Cup plate while the dynasty is on partial pause.
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