NASCAR’s Chase is BACK
What’s Happening? In 2026, after a nearly year-long search for a new points system, NASCAR’s three National Series will return to…
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Three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and former NASCAR Playoff committee member Joey Logano says that NASCAR’s return to the Chase system surprised him, saying it was an option he “didn’t hear about. “
Monday afternoon, NASCAR announced the end of the NASCAR Playoff system and a return to the ten-race chase format used from 2004 to 2013 to crown its champions.
Following this announcement, three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano, who is often cited as the best postseason driver of the playoff era, joined NASCAR’s Inside the Race to discuss the change.
Logano was a member of NASCAR’s Playoff committee, a committee made up of industry members that would help give NASCAR pointers should they make changes to the playoffs.
Initially, it seemed unlikely NASCAR would scrap its complex playoff. Still, the narrative shifted throughout the season, with NASCAR ultimately landing on this new Chase that removes the win-and-in stipulation, playoff points, rounds, and eliminations.
This drastic shift was a surprise to many, including Logano, who told Inside the Race’s Kim Coon that he did not know NASCAR was going down a different direction.”
“I was a little surprised. . . There’s been a lot of different ideas that were thrown out there. This one [The Chase], I didn’t hear about. I was like, ‘Oh, okay, we’re going down a different direction.'” — Joey Logano
Even if this change takes away a system that Logano excelled in, the 35-year-old is approaching it head-on, saying, “My job is not to have an opinion about the playoff format. My job is to win the playoff format.”
Logano says that the format will reward consistency more, though, at the potential sacrifice of “do or die moments,” often created by the chaotic nature of the former playoff system.
“The do-or-die moment may not be there anymore. It will be in some cases, but not as much as we’ve seen every three races throughout the playoffs before, its rewarding more consistency for sure throughout the season.” — Joey Logano
Even though he says he is looking forward to this change in strategy, this hasn’t stopped NASCAR fans from joking about Logano losing a system in which he earned four championships.
Funny enough, fans who have run past seasons through this new format (which, of course, hinges on racing style under a given format) have found that Logano would technically still be a multi-time champion, entering the rare air of the sport’s four-time Cup winners.
What’s Happening? In 2026, after a nearly year-long search for a new points system, NASCAR’s three National Series will return to…
Nearly a year ago, NASCAR began its review of its elimination-style playoff format following an outpouring of opposition from NASCAR fans and industry members.
To review the system and suggest tweaks, NASCAR assembled a committee of industry stakeholders, including drivers, team owners, track owners, media members, and alumni. This committee was tasked to not choose the new format, but rather, review and act as a sounding board for NASCAR.
Among the drivers chosen for this committee is the driver many point to as the reason for the large number of fans disillusioned by the system, Joey Logano.
Logano, undoubtedly one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers of all time, is a three-time champion under the system, though his most recent title came from somewhat lackluster performances.
During the 2024 season, Logano nearly made the playoffs with a late win at Nashville Superspeedway. After making it through the Round of 16, Logano was eliminated from the Round of Eight, before a disqualification of Alex Bowman propelled him back into the hunt.
From there, utilizing the playoff system’s win-and-in design, wins at Las Vegas and Phoenix crowned Logano the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, with a 17.1 average finish, the worst of any NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Though the sparks of dissent were already there, this championship effort fanned the flame into a wildfire that resulted in Monday’s press conference, in which NASCAR announced it would return to the ten-race Chase format for 2026.
What’s Happening? NASCAR is publicly seeking a new Playoff or even Championship Points system for the future. This story will unfold…
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