Starting in 2026, NASCAR will bring back its original “Chase” format, featuring a 10-race postseason where 16 drivers compete for the championship with more predictable roles compared to recent years. Instead of securing playoff spots with race wins, the top 16 drivers will qualify based on points accumulated during the 26-race regular season. Wins will be more valuable, awarding 55 points (excluding any stage points), while second and third place earn 35 and 34 points, respectively.
When the playoffs begin, points will reset: the regular-season champion will start at 2,100 points, second place at 2,075, third at 2,065, fourth at 2,060, fifth at 2,055, and so on, decreasing by five points per position down to 16th place starting at 2,000 points.
This decision concludes a year-long evaluation of NASCAR’s championship structure, guided by an advisory committee that considered various formats—including a full 36-race season points championship. NASCAR has chosen to move away from the 12-year-old playoff model with elimination rounds and a single-race finale, reverting instead to the 10-race mini-season style used between 2004 and 2013.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell emphasized that the updated model aims to reward consistent driver and team performance at every race while honoring the sport’s rich traditions and keeping fans engaged throughout the season. Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin, who had supported a full-points system, expressed enthusiasm for this compromise, highlighting its demand for both speed and consistency. He also noted that existing driver and sponsor contracts already encourage postseason participation, easing concerns about this shift.
2020 champion Chase Elliott feels the new format won’t impact his ability to contend for another title, while 2023 champ Ryan Blaney welcomes the longer playoff, believing it reduces the pressure on drivers to make questionable choices just to advance, which sometimes harmed the sport’s image. O’Donnell acknowledged that while some fans favor playoffs, others prefer the traditional points system, and this format strikes a simple balance between those views.
Since 2014, NASCAR’s playoff format has consisted of four rounds over 10 races, featuring eliminations and resets after each stage, with a final race where the best finisher among four contenders wins the championship. This system, intended to elevate drama and simplify the championship outcome, often frustrated fans who valued season-long consistency and were irked when drivers with uneven performances snagged the title or were swiftly eliminated despite strong seasons.
Additionally, automatic playoff berths via race wins led to situations where drivers with inconsistent seasons advanced, sometimes ahead of more consistent competitors, prompting complicated points calculations before the finale. The 2017 introduction of stage points and “Playoff Points” added complexity through a bonus structure affecting resets, but under the new format, stage points remain while playoff points are eliminated, with a single reset at the playoffs’ start.
O’Donnell explained that while the previous system created more moments and winners, it diluted the focus on a single star driver, which ultimately builds the sport’s biggest names. The future vision centers on rewarding those with strong season-long results and moving away from championships decided by just one race — while still valuing wins.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will adopt a similar approach, with a 24-race regular season followed by a nine-race playoff for 12 drivers, resetting points like the Cup’s system. Meanwhile, the Craftsman Truck Series will have 18 regular-season races and a seven-race playoff for 10 drivers, also using the same point-reset framework.
Bob Pockras, a veteran motorsports reporter with decades of experience, covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports.
Fan Take: This return to the classic Chase format is a significant change that restores a balance between rewarding season-long consistency and keeping playoff drama alive. For NASCAR fans, it represents a chance to see champions who have proven their skill over many races, potentially making the championship more meaningful and less about one-off moments.
