Brad Keselowski has made a significant statement regarding the upcoming changes to the NASCAR championship format, set to start with the 2026 season. For the first time since 2014, the structure for determining the season champion is being overhauled, creating uncertainty and anticipation for fans and drivers alike about what it will mean to win the Brad Keselowski NASCAR championship.
For the last dozen years, NASCAR’s playoff system has followed a four-round, ten-race knockout format, introduced in 2014, featuring sixteen drivers who qualify after a long 26-race regular season. The current system, however, will be retired, sparking debate and speculation throughout the motorsport community.
Why Consistency May Become the Key to a NASCAR Title
The previous Chase for the Cup format, which ran from 2004 to 2013, remains one of NASCAR’s most debated eras due to its dramatic impact on how champions were crowned. Concerns over the fairness of the championship process have only grown in recent years—most notably after Joey Logano, ranked fifteenth in the regular season, won the title following a contentious late-race caution flag in the finale. Ongoing fan and driver dissatisfaction appears to have played a major role in NASCAR officials’ decision to review and overhaul the format.
Amid a flurry of rumors about what the new structure will entail, Brad Keselowski shed some light in a concise public statement.
“It will certainly reward consistency at a much higher level,”
Brad Keselowski, Cup Series driver, said. The statement came via NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, who also indicated that official news about the new championship format would be shared by NASCAR on Monday afternoon.
With this shift, many insiders and fans are considering the possibility that a full-season format might be implemented, rewarding steady performance rather than relying on postseason heroics or surprises. Yet, the appointment of a playoff committee suggests that a full-season, no-playoff format likely won’t materialize in 2026.
Speculation continues around whether NASCAR will revisit an expanded version of the Chase, an era associated with immense popularity and iconic drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty. The option to revert to a familiar playoff model could help address calls for greater competitiveness and fairness, with Keselowski’s emphasis on “consistency” serving as a clue about the nature of the expected changes.
Possible Return to the Classic Chase Format
Recent leaks from a NASCAR insider suggest that the sport may revisit the ten-race Chase for the Cup format. Initially, this postseason featured ten drivers and later expanded to twelve, with the highest points earners during the regular season earning their spots, while a wild card system gave drivers with the most wins outside the top pack a late entry. Such a move could inject freshness into the series, offering a throwback to the days when the championship chase was a highly anticipated showdown between the sport’s biggest names.
Keselowski also commented on how the upcoming changes have energized participants.
“I think we’re all excited about that,”
Brad Keselowski, Cup Series driver, stated. Some believe this optimism from drivers is a sign that the new structure will be both competitive and fair, reducing instances where a single race or circumstance decides the title and ensuring a true champion is crowned at season’s end.
Keselowski’s Health Update and Implications for Daytona
While Brad Keselowski is at the center of championship format discussions, he is also making headlines for another reason this off-season. The RFK Racing star sustained a broken right femur during a skiing trip on December 18, which means he will miss the preseason Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium scheduled for February 1. In his absence, reserve driver Corey LaJoie will fill his place during the exhibition.
“I will not be running the Clash,”
Brad Keselowski, Cup Series driver, said on social media.
“This is part of the reason I wanted to talk to you about. We’re going to put Corey LaJoie in to run the Clash. So he’s pretty excited,”
Brad Keselowski, Cup Series driver, added.
Despite his absence from the Clash, Keselowski vows to be ready for the Daytona 500. He is in the midst of intensive rehabilitation, undergoing six to eight hours of therapy each day under the supervision of Atrium Health. Doctors estimate eight to twelve weeks for full recovery. NASCAR rules will permit him to participate in a closed medical evaluation test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on February 5, where he will need to demonstrate sufficient healing, mobility, and a lack of prescription medication use. Passing this evaluation would clear him to compete in the prestigious Daytona 500.
The 41-year-old veteran is determined not to let his injury shorten his Cup Series career. His comeback depends on being able to walk steadily, get in and out of the racecar unaided, and show clear evidence of bone healing—a process he approaches with optimism and commitment.
What These Changes Mean for NASCAR’s Future
The anticipated adjustments to the Brad Keselowski NASCAR championship format reflect ongoing debates about how best to reward driver skill and season-long performance, while bringing renewed excitement for both competitors and fans. By placing a greater weight on consistency and possibly returning to a more familiar playoff structure, NASCAR could encourage competitive racing across the calendar, rather than making one-off results or late-race incidents the deciding factor.
With the official announcement scheduled soon, stakeholders throughout the sport—from championship contenders like Keselowski to historical figures such as Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt—will watch closely to see how these changes play out. Both the NASCAR audience and seasoned traditionalists remain deeply invested in how the next champion will ultimately be crowned, ensuring the sport’s legacy continues to evolve with fresh storylines and renewed enthusiasm.
NASCAR will announce its new championship format Monday afternoon. Brad Keselowski said he expects it to reward consistency more: pic.twitter.com/1KDCXD1ZnV
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 9, 2026
