What’s Different about NASCAR’s New Chase Compared to Past Versions?
What’s Happening? In 2026, NASCAR is returning to a simplified, “Chase” format to crown its three NASCAR National Series Champions. The…
The NASCAR Chase returns in 2026 after the sport moved away from the elimination-style Playoff format used since 2014. The change came after years of requests from drivers and fans who wanted the championship to reward consistency over an entire postseason rather than a single bad race deciding a title bid.
While the number of drivers qualifying remains unchanged, every Chase-qualified driver will now compete throughout the full postseason, with the champion determined by the highest points total at the end of the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
For fans, the biggest change will be how the championship battle develops. Instead of watching drivers simply survive each elimination round, the focus will shift to who can perform consistently across the entire Chase.
A poor finish will no longer end a driver’s title hopes, making comeback drives, strategy, car setup and week-to-week consistency far more important. It also means more drivers are likely to remain mathematically alive deeper into the postseason.
What’s Happening? In 2026, NASCAR is returning to a simplified, “Chase” format to crown its three NASCAR National Series Champions. The…
Total Drivers: 10
Total Races: 7
Starts on: September 17, 2026, at Bristol Motor Speedway
Ends on: November 6, 2026, at Homestead-Miami Speedway
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase features 10 drivers competing across seven races, with the championship decided by the cumulative points scored over the entire Chase.
Here’s the full Chase Schedule for the NASCAR Truck Series:
| Date | Time (ET) | Day | Track | Race | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 17 | 8:00 p.m. ET | Thursday | Bristol Motor Speedway | UNOH 250 Presented by Ohio Logistics | FS1 |
| Sept. 26 | 1:00 p.m. ET | Saturday | Kansas Speedway | Race to Stop Suicide 200 | FS1 |
| Oct. 9 | 5:00 p.m. ET | Friday | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Ecosave 250 | FOX |
| Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Friday | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Chase Race at Phoenix | FS1 |
| Oct. 23 | 4:00 p.m. ET | Friday | Talladega Superspeedway | Love’s RV Stop 225 | FS1 |
| Oct. 30 | 6:00 p.m. ET | Friday | Martinsville Speedway | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Chase Race at Martinsville | FS1 |
| Nov. 6 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Friday | Homestead-Miami Speedway | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race | FS1 |
Total Drivers: 12
Total Races: 9
Starts on: September 5, 2026, at Darlington Raceway
Ends on: November 7, 2026, at Homestead-Miami Speedway
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase includes 12 drivers competing over nine races, with the highest points scorer at the end of the schedule crowned champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Here’s the full Chase Schedule for the NOAPS:
| Date | Time (ET) | Day | Track | Race | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | Darlington Raceway | Fleetio 200 | The CW |
| Sept. 12 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | World Wide Technology Raceway | Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog | The CW |
| Sept. 18 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Friday | Bristol Motor Speedway | Food City 300 | The CW |
| Oct. 3 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Focused Health 302 | The CW |
| Oct. 10 | 4:00 p.m. ET | Saturday | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Blue Cross NC 250 | The CW |
| Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase Race at Phoenix | The CW |
| Oct. 24 | 3:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | Talladega Superspeedway | The Progress Group 250 | The CW |
| Oct. 31 | 4:00 p.m. ET | Saturday | Martinsville Speedway | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase Race at Martinsville | The CW |
| Nov. 7 | 5:00 p.m. ET | Saturday | Homestead-Miami Speedway | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race | The CW |
Total Drivers: 16
Total Races: 10
Starts on: September 6, 2026, at Darlington Raceway
Ends on: November 8, 2026, at Homestead-Miami Speedway
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase features 16 drivers battling across 10 races following the conclusion of the 26-race regular season, with the championship awarded to the driver who accumulates the most points over the entire Chase.
Here’s the full Chase Schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series:
| Date | Time (ET) | Day | Track | Race | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6 | 5:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Darlington Raceway | Cook Out Southern 500 | USA |
| Sept. 13 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | World Wide Technology Raceway | Enjoy Illinois 300 | USA |
| Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday | Bristol Motor Speedway | Bass Pro Shops Night Race | USA |
| Sept. 27 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Kansas Speedway | Hollywood Casino 400 | USA |
| Oct. 4 | 5:30 p.m. ET | Sunday | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | South Point 400 | USA |
| Oct. 11 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval | Bank of America 400 | USA |
| Oct. 18 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Phoenix Raceway | Freeway Insurance 500 | USA |
| Oct. 25 | 2:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Talladega Superspeedway | YellaWood 500 | NBC |
| Nov. 1 | 2:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Martinsville Speedway | Xfinity 500 | NBC |
| Nov. 8 | 3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday | Homestead-Miami Speedway | NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race | NBC |
With only four races remaining before the Cup Series Chase begins, four drivers have already secured their places in the Cup field. Seven drivers have locked themselves into the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase, while five have already qualified for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase.
The remaining spots in each championship field will be decided over the closing weeks of the regular season before all three series begin their run to Homestead under NASCAR’s revived Chase format.
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