Chase Elliott has emphasized the significant benefit that comes with the Chase Elliott regular season championship advantage as the NASCAR season nears its playoff phase, with just four races remaining. The Hendrick Motorsports driver noted how earning the regular season title provides a crucial safety net during the high-stakes playoff rounds, where unexpected factors can determine outcomes.
After winning in Atlanta, Elliott secured his position as the points leader, largely thanks to his steady performances. His teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson, expressed surprise at dropping to third place in the standings, despite having two more race wins than Elliott. This reflects how the system rewards consistency over individual victories, and underlines the importance of accumulating points throughout the season.
Earning the Playoff Edge Through Consistency and Points
The regular season champion receives a 15-point advantage at the start of the playoffs—a boost that can prove pivotal during the elimination rounds. The last time Elliott claimed this edge was in 2022. Although his postseason performance faltered that year, the bonus points he earned kept him in contention, ultimately helping him reach the final four drivers vying for the championship.
Reflecting on the benefits of banking playoff points, Elliott acknowledged the difference those points make in a tightly contested field.
“They’d be huge for sure. I’ve been on both sides of the coin there. There have been years where I feel like we’ve not had many playoff points, and we’ve had a couple of years where we’ve had a bunch. I promise it is a lot easier when you have a lot in the bank.”
Elliott also emphasized the unpredictable nature of the competition and the value of extra points.
“The way the system is, [with] so many things kind of being out of your control, it’s nice to have something to fall back on,” he added.
At present, Elliott holds a slim four-point lead over William Byron. Recently, Elliott captured his first pole position of the year at Dover Motor Speedway, dominating for 238 laps before a pit stop issue relegated him to a sixth-place finish. These results underline both his competitiveness and the unpredictable challenges that can arise during races.
Despite leading the points chart, Elliott currently has six playoff points, which is less than Byron’s twelve and well behind Larson’s twenty-three. Next, Elliott is scheduled to compete at Iowa Speedway, a 0.875-mile short track where he will face 350 laps of fierce competition. Fans can follow the event on Sunday, August 3rd, at 3:30 PM ET on USA, with streaming available via HBO Max.
Elliott Weighs in on NASCAR’s Championship Structure Debate
Chase Elliott has publicly shared his thoughts on NASCAR’s championship format, endorsing the full-season points system reminiscent of Formula 1, where the most consistent driver is crowned champion. He argued for the value of celebrating dominance and maintaining a format unique to motorsports.
“The system would be just fine if you just had a full season. And if somebody runs away with it, so what? Let’s celebrate the fact that somebody ran away with it, that somebody was just that good. Motorsports does not have to be like everybody else to be successful. And I’ll stand by that til I get done,” he said via X/Jeff Gluck.
Elliott’s remarks have received endorsement from respected figures such as Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who has consistently criticized the playoff format. In response to the ongoing debate, NASCAR has established a committee to explore potential changes to the playoff system for 2026, though no decisions have been finalized.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, Elliott and his competitors—such as William Byron and Kyle Larson—continue to fight for every point, knowing that the Chase Elliott regular season championship advantage could prove decisive once the playoffs begin. The structure and future of NASCAR’s championship will remain a topic of interest, as drivers and fans look to see how potential changes might shape the sport in the years ahead.
