We now know that NASCAR is going back to The Chase, and that includes the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Truck Series seasons. While those two series will race a modified version of the format, it is largely going to be the same.
Just like the NASCAR Cup Series, no more win and in. The NOAPS and NCTS will have 12 and 10 drivers participate as was the custom under the old Playoffs rules. However, those drivers will no longer be determined by win-and-in systems.
The points format for winning races will be the same across all three series. Then, the points reset for each series will be the same. Whoever is the top-seed at the start of The Chase will start out with 2100 points and a 25-point lead over second, and a 35-point lead over third. Points will then decrease by 5 down to the last driver in The Chase.
Here are the details for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. A nice, helpful graphic for fans. Instead of 10 races like the Cup Series, it will be 9 races total.
For the Truck Series, the number of races is 7. That will make it even more difficult for an underdog to come from behind and win a championship.
When NASCAR was contemplating a change in championship formats, it was always going to be a blanket change like this, with minor differences. The seasons for the lower series are shorter, and therefore, The Chase is shorter for those two series as well.
Just for a fun thought experiment, Corey Heim would have dominated in this format in the Truck Series for 2025. His last seven races resulted in five wins, a runner-up, and a P3 finish. He led the most laps in four of those seven races.
Connor Zilisch would have had two wins, four additional top-fives, a top-10, and a rough P23 at Talladega in his final 9 races of 2025. He was still by far the best driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series during that stretch, too.
NASCAR fans wanted change. Now, we have The Chase making a return. Those full-season points format or bust fans will have to stew and complain for another season. Is this compromise going to do what NASCAR hopes it does, and help restore legitimacy and relevance to the sport?
Motorsports News Daily 
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