NASCAR fans, get ready for a blast from the past: the iconic "Chase" format is making a highly anticipated return for the 2026 season, bringing with it a renewed focus on consistency, race-to-race intensity, and a nod to the sport's celebrated traditions. The announcement, made on January 12, 2026, signals a major shift back to a championship system that many longtime fans remember fondly from its original run between 2004 and 2013 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
After nearly two years of careful study and widespread consultation—including input from team owners, drivers, manufacturers, tracks, broadcast partners, and, crucially, the fans themselves—NASCAR has decided to scrap the elimination-style playoff system that’s been in place for over a decade. Instead, the sport is embracing a format where every race matters, consistency is king, and the season’s best performers are rewarded in a straightforward, points-based battle for the championship.
"As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR President. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR’s storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend."
So, what exactly is changing? For starters, the postseason—now officially called "The Chase"—will once again feature a 10-race championship round. The top 16 drivers in points after the 26-race regular season will qualify for the Chase in the Cup Series. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity) will have a nine-race playoff with 12 drivers, and the Craftsman Truck Series will feature a seven-race playoff for its top 10 drivers. This mirrors the proportions and structure of the beloved 2004-2013 format, which saw some of the sport’s most memorable title fights.
Gone is the "win and you’re in" guarantee. Instead, a race victory will now net the winning driver 55 points—up from the previous 40—making wins more valuable than ever but not an automatic ticket to the postseason. The emphasis is clear: drivers must perform at a high level throughout the regular season if they want a shot at the championship. Second place will be worth 35 points, third 34, and so on, with stage points remaining unchanged. This tweak aims to reward those who battle for wins weekend after weekend, rather than simply playing it safe for points.
At the end of the regular season, the points leader will receive a significant 25-point cushion over the second-place driver as the field resets for the Chase. The seeding for the 16 Chase drivers in the Cup Series will start at 2,100 points for the top seed, then decrease by five points per position down to 2,000 for the 16th seed. The same approach will be used for the O’Reilly and Truck Series, tailored to their respective playoff fields. This new system is designed to reward sustained excellence and give the regular-season champion a meaningful edge heading into the high-stakes final stretch.
The decision to return to the Chase format wasn’t made lightly. Fan frustration had been building for years over the complicated elimination rounds, the "win and you’re in" loophole, and the winner-take-all season finale that sometimes saw the most consistent drivers lose out on the title due to a single bad break. The 2025 season finale at Phoenix was a prime example: Denny Hamlin, who led the most laps and had the season’s most wins, lost the championship in overtime after a late caution, while Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch saw their own title hopes dashed or realized due to the quirks of the old system.
"Going into Phoenix was a hold your breath moment," O'Donnell admitted. "We recognize someone winning the championship, absolutely they won it by the rules. But was it the best format that we could go with? The tide had turned in the garage."
The new format is being widely praised as a "perfect compromise" between the purity of a full-season points system and the excitement of a playoff. NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin, who was part of the advisory committee, endorsed the move, saying, "This is the most perfect compromise that you could ever ask for. It's going to require our 2026 champion to be lightning fast and incredibly consistent, and that's what we can all get behind. So I'm really excited. I think it's fantastic."
Current drivers are also on board. Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion, said, "I liked my odds before, but I like my odds now for sure." Ryan Blaney, who took the title in 2023, believes the new format gives him a better shot, noting that it removes some of the ethical dilemmas drivers faced under the previous format. "The excuse that grinds my gears the most is we've had a lot of finishes and a guy gets out and he's like, 'Well, I didn't want to do it, but I did it because I had to do it,'" Blaney explained. "And I hate that excuse, but from their side, I get it because that's the format. … It didn't make the sport look good. The purity was kind of fading."
Even the structure of the points reset has been simplified. There will be no more playoff points, no more multi-round eliminations, and no more complicated math heading into the finale. The only reset happens at the start of the 10-race Chase, making it easier for fans to follow and for drivers to focus on what matters most: winning races and racking up points.
The hope is that this return to form will reignite the passion of longtime fans while still delivering the drama and unpredictability that make NASCAR’s postseason so thrilling. As O'Donnell put it, "We felt like this was a great balance. And it's simple."
As the 2026 season approaches, anticipation is already building. Defending Cup champion Kyle Larson, who’s thrived under the old playoff system, will be aiming to prove his consistency once again, while veterans like Joey Logano look to capitalize on a format that rewards the best over the long haul. With the Chase back in action, every race, every lap, and every point will count more than ever. Buckle up, NASCAR nation—the race for the championship just got a whole lot more interesting.
