NASCAR Exec: 2026 Schedule is No Indication that Current Playoff System Will Remain

What’s Happening?

Following Wednesday’s NASCAR Schedule release featuring the current NASCAR Playoff structure, NASCAR Executive Ben Kennedy clarified that the system’s place on the current iteration of the 2026 schedule does not mean it will remain the same next season.

A bold new mission, a triumphant return and plenty of full-throttle thrills.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/WlACzioY2S

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 20, 2025

Following the release of NASCAR’s 2026 schedule, fans quickly noticed that the sport had outlined the framework for its four-round, single-race championship playoff format, despite ongoing talks within NASCAR to tweak the current format or go in a new direction altogether.

NASCAR has been rather public about this process, with several public accounts of meetings from NASCAR’s Playoff Committee. This committee, a brain trust of industry veterans and stakeholders to discuss the pros and cons of the current system, will not have the final say in the matter, but has given those disgruntled fans hope for some form of change.

Early on, some committee members seemed optimistic that changes could happen as early as next season. However, recent reports from members of the committee have suggested that this could be pushed to next season, as NASCAR does not want to rush the process and needs to discuss it with its TV Partners.

The recent cycle surrounding the potential of pushing any change off until 2027 left fans looking for clues about next season’s points system. On Wednesday, some thought they found the answer to their questions in a 2026 schedule graphic posted to NASCAR’s social media, featuring the regular season finale, playoff rounds, and championship race.

However, during a recent media availability, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy, in response to a question from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, cleared the air, saying that the newly released schedule is “not yet” a confirmation of an unchanged format in 2026.

Also Ben Kennedy said not to take the playoff listing and round designations on the announcement as a confirmation that the playoff format won't change. But they also want to take the time to make sure they get the playoff format right.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 20, 2025

Kennedy went on to say that talks about potential changes are ongoing, and that, as of NASCAR’s 2026 schedule release, he has no updates on the 2026 playoff system. “I know there are conversations, as early as a couple days ago, on what the future of the playoff format looks like,” Kennedy said. “Nothing to announce today.”

In fact, NASCAR’s use of playoff language while announcing parts of the 2026 schedule is nothing new. Prior to Wednesday’s release of the official schedule, specifically on May 6, the announcement that the season finale would be returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway frequently mentioned playoff races at both Homestead and Phoenix Raceway.

Despite recent comments from NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell that hinted the sport could test out different formats in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as soon as 2026, Kennedy’s response did not guarantee that any changes to the system, big or small, are on the way.

Closing out the topic, the 33-year-old executive also reiterated a sentiment often expressed by NASCAR officials throughout this process, saying that they don’t want to rush a change as they hope to find a long-term points format. “We want to be thoughtful and diligent about it, make sure we make the right decisions and moves, and give both our fans and our competitors something that they can be really proud of going forward,” Kennedy said.

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