Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, made his position clear regarding the Chase Elliott NASCAR championship format at a reveal event on Monday. Elliott stated he would not have supported the new structure if it failed to meet his standards, emphasizing the importance of driver input in changes to the sport.
Elliott’s Direct Approach Ahead of Format Overhaul
Despite achieving success under the prior playoff system, Elliott was outspoken about the need for improvements and transparency. He insisted on understanding the specifics of the new championship setup directly from NASCAR officials before confirming his participation at the unveiling. Elliott explained,
“When they call me to do this, you know, couple weeks ago, or whatever, I said ‘Well, what is it?’ I wasn’t gonna come unless I liked what we were doing. I don’t wanna sit here and lie to you all about what we got and tell you how great it is,”
Elliott told reporters.
NASCAR Announces a Return to Its Roots
The event brought together racing figures such as Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell, who revealed sweeping changes to the Cup Series championship. NASCAR will revive ‘The Chase’—first adopted in 2004—in an effort to reinvigorate competition and celebrate consistent performance over dramatic elimination rounds. The new approach designates the opening 26 races as qualifiers leading into a focused 10-race championship stretch.
Under the freshly adjusted rules, all qualifying drivers will have their points reset based on where they finished the regular season: the overall leader starts the final 10 races with 2,100 points, second place with 2,075, third with 2,065, and each subsequent position five points lower than the last. O’Donnell also confirmed that race victories will now award 55 points each, though winning no longer guarantees a championship berth—raising the stakes for regular-season performance and consistency.
Drivers, Both Former and Current, Influence the Decision
Elliott acknowledged that drivers, past and present, have shaped the evolution of the format through sustained feedback to NASCAR leadership. He recounted how he and fellow driver Ryan Blaney voiced their demands for positive changes:
“kind of screamed at some of these things over the course of time, just wanting it to be better.”
By drawing on perspectives from prominent names like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, and others, NASCAR aimed to address lingering criticism while honoring the sport’s competitive traditions.
Elliott Urges Fans to Embrace Change
Speaking to the wider NASCAR community, Elliott encouraged patience and open-mindedness as the new championship format debuts. In addressing concerns, he remarked,
“Let’s enjoy what we have because we’re making history, whether you like it or not. Celebrate the champion, celebrate the guys who went out there and did a good job. I think this format promotes that,”
he said. Elliott’s comments reflect his belief that the revised system better recognizes season-long excellence and rewards those who excel under pressure.
The Road Ahead for the Cup Series
The first test for the reimagined Chase Elliott NASCAR championship format arrives with the Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, before the season’s first points race, the Daytona 500, gets underway two weeks later in Daytona. Alongside the anticipation for how the new structure will play out, fans will witness the return of seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who is scheduled to race in select events this year.
With significant adjustments and input from figures like Steve O’Donnell, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, NASCAR is investing in an approach aimed at revitalizing the Cup Series. Whether this will lead to a new era of memorable battles and deeper fan engagement remains to be seen, but the path ahead promises renewed energy and debate within the sport’s fiercely loyal community.
.@chaseelliott: “I wouldn’t be here lying to y’all if I didn’t like it”#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NeKMs6IBFp
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 12, 2026
