NASCAR Exec Gives Update on Playoff Format Announcement

What’s Happening?

With the NASCAR offseason underway, fans are wondering when or if NASCAR will announce a new playoff system. In a recent episode of NASCAR’s Hauler Talk Podcast, Mike Forde gave an update on when the final decision could come.

Throughout the 2025 season, NASCAR openly explored reviewing its Playoff system to make potential changes for 2026 and beyond. This included surveying fans and examining the system with a committee of NASCAR legends and industry members.

While these meetings went on throughout the season, NASCAR made it clear in the fall that any updates on a new format would be held until the conclusion of the 2025 season. This decision was made to avoid dampening the importance of the 2025 championship week in Phoenix.

However, now that the 2026 season is in the books, fans are wondering when NASCAR will decide on whether to stick with the current system or move on to a new one.

During Tuesday’s episode of NASCAR’s in-house podcast, Hauler Talk, NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Communications Mike Forde provided fans with an update on the status of talks amongst NASCAR officials regarding a decision on the playoffs.

Forde says that NASCAR is still in active discussions about the format, and an exact timeline on when the announcement will be is unknown.

“It could be in two weeks. It could be in two months. We clearly want to make sure that we have been very thorough on this one. ” — Mike Forde

While this may not be the exact answer fans wanted, Forde made it clear that the answer to this question will come prior to the February 1 Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which will kick off the 2026 season.

What’s Next?

This is a highly anticipated announcement from NASCAR; the decision facing the sport could have both positive and negative implications on its long-term future.

Essentially, NASCAR must decide between maintaining the current elimination format, reverting to the 10-race Chase format, or adopting a 36-race point system without a playoff, a format last used in 2003.  

Each system has its own positives and negatives, but one thing is clear: NASCAR wants to make a decision that will last.  

Though some have suggested they could keep the system. Most believe that NASCAR is headed towards removing the current one-race championship season.

We have covered NASCAR’s review of its own playoff system throughout the 2025 season and will continue to do so into the 2026 season via the story linked in the section above.

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