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01/12 14:33 CST NASCAR's 'Chase' returns: What fans need to know about the 2026
format
NASCAR's 'Chase' returns: What fans need to know about the 2026 format
By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- NASCAR's nearly two-year study into an overhaul of its
championship-deciding format concluded Monday with the reveal that in 2026 the
stock car series will return to a 10-race version closely resembling the very
first iteration introduced 22 years ago.
The system will return to a 10-race format consisting of the top 16 drivers in
the regular-season standings. There will be no driver eliminations every three
races, winning will be incentivized and its name will return to "The Chase."
The driver with the most points at the Nov. 8 finale at Homestead-Miami
Speedway will be the champion.
The changes come amidst fan complaints to periodic tweaks over changes to the
system that was largely unchanged from its 2004 introduction to 2013, when
Jimmie Johnson won six of his record-tying seven championships.
Changes slowly followed, with eliminations, an expanded field, a win-and-in
guarantee and finally a winner-take-all season finale.
Fans had grown weary of the changes. Regular-season victories guaranteed a slot
in the 10-race playoffs, a win in any of the first three three-race rounds
advanced a driver into the next round, while the bottom three drivers at the
end of each round were eliminated.
Finally, the winner was simply the highest-finishing driver among four
remaining title contenders in the season finale. That system reached its
breaking point in November when Denny Hamlin dominated the race until a late
caution changed the final sequence and Kyle Larson won his second title by
simply finishing ahead of Hamlin despite Larson not leading a single lap at
Phoenix Raceway while mired in a 25-race losing streak.
Hamlin had won two playoff races --- a Cup Series high six victories on the
season --- and led 208 of the 319 laps at Phoenix. He was the leader with three
to go when a late caution changed the outcome and sent the race into overtime;
Larson finished third, two spots ahead of Hamlin, to automatically claim the
championship.
Fan discourse had been building for several years and intensified after Joey
Logano won two titles in three years by simply raising his performance in the
playoffs. The changes announced Monday came after an extensive review that
included collaboration between owners, drivers, automobile manufacturers,
tracks, broadcast partners, and fans.
"As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on
rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," NASCAR President
Steve O'Donnell said. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR's storied
history and the traditions that have made the sport so special.
"Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to
honor their passion every single race weekend."
The new format is designed to bolster the importance of each race and reward
consistency while maintaining the importance of winning. It will be known as
its original name, ?The Chase,' with an also accepted use of ?postseason,'
NASCAR is eliminating the vernacular 'playoffs' and ?regular-season champion.'
NASCAR's new format
Moving forward, the driver with the most points after the postseason finale
will be champion in all three NASCAR national series. The Chase will comprise
of the final 10 races for the Cup Series.
NASCAR has eliminated the automatic berth into the playoff field earned by
winning during the regular season, a move designed to increase the importance
of every event on the schedule and emphasize consistency throughout the regular
season.
A race victory win will now earn the winning driver 55 points, up from 40
points, to reward drivers who battle for wins instead of settling for a solid
points days. NASCAR hopes it encourages aggressive racing and strong team
performance.
Points for all other positions, including stage points, remain the same.
The points leader after the regular season will receive a 25-point cushion over
the second seed as the points will be reset for the 16 Chase drivers.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
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