Back like it never left, The Chase is back in NASCAR. Officials have revealed the new championship format for 2026. NASCAR hopes this format is easier for fans to understand, and rewards consistency and excellence above all else.
The Chase brought us great moments. It was also maligned during its time for how the format changed constantly and various other complaints. However, this isn’t the same format that we once knew as “The Chase.” Same name, different ways of going about it.
26 races in the regular season. 10 races for The Chase. No eliminations, no regular season championship, and more points for winning races. 16 drivers will make The Chase, with the points leader taking a 25-point lead over second-place, and a 35-point lead over third-place, with each driver from 4th to 16th separated by 5 points each.
Winning races will pay big, 55 points, in fact. With a sweep of the stages, drivers can earn a maximum of 75 points each week. Second-place now pays out 35 points, third-place 34, fourth-place 33, and so forth.
During the press conference, NASCAR had current and former drivers speaking. President Steve O’Donnell was there to answer questions and explain things from a front office perspective.
A lot of talk during the presser was about “compromise,” and that’s great. Compromising can lead to great things. Sometimes, meeting in the middle also means you’ve done a half-ass job going either direction.
NASCAR has had identity issues in recent years. The Chase is at least a unique format and name for a postseason run. It moves away from “Playoffs,” which has long aggravated fans who wish nothing more than to avoid any relation to stick and ball sports.
This version of the championship is going to be easier to understand. It is simplified. No playoff points, only one set of points to keep up with. If you were explaining it, you could say, “The top 16 drivers in points after 26 races are seeded 1 through 16 with the top driver earning a small lead going into the first race of The Chase. Whoever has the most points after those 10 races is the champion.” Boom. Easy enough, right? But is it as simple as it could have been?
NASCAR has made things simpler, is it simple enough?
As NASCAR attempts to reclaim its identity and reintroduce itself to fans and the sports world at large, they will have to do things genuinely. Authenticity is what people want from the sport. Give NASCAR credit, The Chase is an authentically NASCAR concept.
Does this fix all of NASCAR’s problems? No, not at all. However, it gives teams, drivers, and everyone else a fresh start to at least start fixing the issues. A points reset with 10 races to go is still going to hinder a dominant season. If I have a 100-point lead after 26 races, that 25-point advantage going into The Chase doesn’t look all that appealing.
Getting rid of win-and-in might be the key to making this format work. Getting rid of eliminations also helps make the format work and feel more legitimate. No longer will we be talking about a car in 25th that made the cutline by 2 points instead of the points leader winning another race. Hopefully, we can all focus on the leaders and teams who are competing at a high level every week, not just a handful of races each season.
Don’t forget, NASCAR is also juggling other issues. With The Chase returning, focusing on the short track and road course packages, as well as landing on a schedule that continues to appeal to old and new fans will remain challenges. There is a rather large test scheduled at North Wilkesboro coming up. This year’s schedule also includes a return to Bowman Gray and Wilkesboro with a new street race in San Diego.
As we get ready for the 2026 season, what are you most excited about for NASCAR? At least we won’t have to hear about the Playoffs as soon as someone wins the Daytona 500.
Motorsports News Daily 
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