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…
Monday, NASCAR reintroduced the Chase as its official points format for the foreseeable future, bringing an end to the controversial elimination playoff system. So, what’s the NASCAR community saying about this decision?
What’s Happening? In 2026, after a nearly year-long search for a new points system, NASCAR’s three National Series will return to…
On stage for the announcement alongside NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell were NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Mark Martin.
Both were outspoken in their support of a full-season points system and were members of NASCAR’s Playoff Committee. But on Monday, they both endorsed the new system, which decides the champion over ten weeks, rather than one final race.
When handed the mic, Earnhardt highlighted how the new Chase would make for an easier storyline for fans to follow throughout the season.
“What I believe it does is it makes it simpler for our fans to follow. I’m a fan of the sport, and now I’m compelled to plug in every single week because I know there’s a long-form objective for my driver to accomplish to be able to give himself the opportunity to win the championship.” — Dale Earnhardt Jr
Martin, perhaps the most outspoken supporter of a return to a 36-race points system, said that this was the best of both worlds and that everyone wins from NASCAR’s decision.
“I think that this is the most perfect compromise that you could ever ask for. It’s going to require our 2026 champion to be lightning fast and incredibly consistent. And that’s what we can all get behind. So I’m really excited. I think it’s fantastic.” — Mark Martin
Martin and Earnhardt weren’t the only drivers on stage, as active NASCAR Cup Series drivers Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney all lent their support to the new (familiar) format.
Elliott challenged NASCAR fans to be excited and to enjoy the fun and excitement of the system.
We’re so quick to complain about everything, everything that we have and everything that we do. Let’s enjoy what we have because we’re making history whether you like it or not.” — Chase Elliott
Blaney took a nostalgic approach to his comments, speaking on how much he loved the Chase for the Cup as a kid, and how this format, which lacks eliminations, automatic advancements via the win-and-in stipulation, and rounds, will encourage more traditional racing.
“I think it’s going to clean up a lot of the racing side of it and kind of get back to the purity side of it, to where it is a little bit more of, not brash and a little bit more of a beautiful art form that I grew up loving.” — Ryan Blaney
Briscoe focused on the diverse nature of the system and how it promotes all the positive aspects of racing.
“It has every characteristic that you want in a championship format where winning matters, consistency matters, DNFs are gonna matter, the point swing now with winning, you’re not gonna have that win and in, but with the 15 extra bonus points, winning can take a guy from fourth in the championship all the way to now out of the lead” — Chase Briscoe
What’s Happening? During Monday’s NASCAR press conference announcing the sport’s return to the “Chase” points system, Chase Elliott challenged race fans…
Other drivers away from the press conference gave their takes on the format, with young stars like Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch celebrating online, while others like Anthony Alfredo lent their support to the system as well.
Former driver Tommy Kendall said that this change will encourage him to get back to watching the sport as opposed to merely keeping up with it.
Joey Logano, a three-time Champion under the elimination playoff format, told NASCAR’s Inside the Race that he was surprised by the change to the Chase, despite being a member of the playoff council. However, he says his job is “not to have an opinion about the playoff format. My job is to win the playoff format.”
During a Tuesday test at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series Champion under the elimination playoff format, said he worries about how crashing out of races will affect a drivers hunt for the championship saying “I remember when we had the chase format, getting wrecked once or twice, you’re eliminated, you have no chance at a championship.”
NASCAR content creators had a fun time online discussing the removal of the elimination playoff, with some tossing a joke or two at the return of the Chase, while others somewhat danced on the grave of the elimination playoff format.
In his video review of the new points format, Eric Estepp expressed that he agrees with Mark Martin, saying that though some are disappointed that NASCAR did not go back to a full-season points system, this is truly the best of both worlds.
I know there’ll be some fans who are upset that NASCAR did not revert to a full-season Winston Cup-style format. I’m sure seeing any form of playoffs or Chase is frustrating, it’s disappointing to many fans out there, and I completely get it. I do agree with Mark Martin that this was the best compromise. This bridges the gaps between the old school and the most recent era. — Eric Estepp
Urinating Tree, known for his non-NASCAR content, was a very outspoken opponent of the elimination playoff, and is worried that NASCAR moving back to the Chase, instead of a full-season points system, is an attempt to appeal to the nostalgia of the early 2000s.
S1apSh0es shared the sentiment that he was excited that the win-and-in stipulation is gone, but disappointed that NASCAR did not go with a 36-race championship, showing his fear that drivers will resort to sandbagging during the regular season.
Dale Tanhardt had a particularly good time with the removal of the elimination playoff, and at the news that the Chase was returning, as he had testified for the system’s return throughout NASCAR’s search for a new points system.
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