Joey Logano, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has weighed in on the ongoing discussion about changes to the NASCAR championship format, which could be implemented as soon as 2026. Logano, known for his strong support of the current playoff system, emphasized his adaptability and focus on success regardless of any future modifications, highlighting the ongoing debate within the sport about the structure of its postseason.
Logano’s Perspective on Possible Changes to the Format
The topic of the NASCAR championship format has sparked conversation after news surfaced that the system—used since 2014—may be altered after the 2025 season. Despite his attachment to the current elimination-style playoff, Logano is open-minded about whatever comes next.
“I liked where it was, but I’m gonna like where we go, too. I’m OK with whatever they do, just tell me the rules and then we gotta go figure out a way to win,”
Logano told Donut Media. His view underscores the mentality required to thrive in NASCAR, which for over a decade has used a 10-race postseason that ends with a winner-take-all final race featuring the Championship 4 drivers.
A recent move by NASCAR expanded the conversation, as a special playoff committee was formed that includes team owners, former drivers, manufacturers, media partners, track representatives, and independent media members. This group is tasked with examining whether the current format should remain or whether an alternative—such as a return to the full-season points system or a revised 10-race Chase—should be adopted for the 2026 season.
Logano Embraces Pressure and Fair Competition
As the debate continues, Logano stands out among drivers for welcoming the tension and unpredictability that come with the playoff model.
“It’s not my job to complain about what we have or what we’re gonna have. My job is to say ‘OK, this is the rules, let’s figure out the strategy to win this thing. Like, how do we do that.’ I don’t really care what it is, just tell me what it is so then we can focus on doing that.”
– Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
He credits his enthusiasm for the format to the sense of urgency it brings to each postseason race, a factor that motivates him to perform at the highest level. Mike Forde, managing director of racing communications at NASCAR, recently said on Hauler Talk that internal discussions are ongoing and no final decisions have been made regarding the championship format’s future.
The Postseason Format’s Broader Impact
The current format’s design places tremendous weight on every postseason event, culminating in a high-stakes showdown that forces drivers and teams to perform under intense scrutiny. Logano’s success under this system—he’s claimed three championships since 2014—is a testament to his ability to thrive when the pressure is at its highest.
“The bottom line is it’ll be the same for everybody,”
Logano said.
“No matter what they come up with, everybody’s gonna have the same opportunity to go out there and win a championship, and we’ll have to just try and do it again.”
– Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Logano also acknowledges that most participants do not share his enthusiasm for the playoff structure.
“It seems like a lot of people don’t like the format we have. I’m the minority in saying I love it because I love the pressure part. It fits the kind of person I am,”
he said.
“I love playoff sports; that’s really the only time I watch other sports is when they’re in the playoffs because I like seeing people with their back up against the wall. I wanna see desperate people doing desperate things; I wanna see that.”
– Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
What Lies Ahead for NASCAR’s Championship Format?
The future of the NASCAR postseason remains unsettled as the playoff committee continues to gather input from across the sport. Whether NASCAR maintains its current system or reverts to a more traditional points approach, the organization’s decision will impact teams, drivers like Joey Logano, and fans across the globe. For Logano, the ultimate objective remains unchanged: adapting to the rules, embracing the pressure, and pursuing another championship—whatever form the quest may take with the next evolution of the NASCAR Cup Series.
