Connor Zilisch has voiced his views online following NASCAR’s announcement that the Chase format will return in 2026, a development that would have changed the outcome for the series in 2025. This update to championship rules comes just as Zilisch prepares to move into his rookie NASCAR Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing, marking a significant shift in how champions will be decided and highlighting the ongoing debate among drivers including Jesse Love.
How the Revised Chase Format Alters the Title Picture
The future series champion will now be determined by total points collected over the final ten races, abandoning the previous elimination rounds. Under the newly outlined system, Zilisch would have emerged as the 2025 champion in simulated standings with 2,550 points. The revised rankings would have placed Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, and Carson Kvapil behind him in the top-six. This format is designed to reward season-long consistency over a single do-or-die event.
Reacting to the timing of the announcement and its impact on his prospects, Zilisch responded directly to a post made by Jesse Love on X, sharing:
“12 months late😜,” Connor Zilisch replied to Love’s post on X.
The new format will apply across all three of NASCAR’s national series and raises the points awarded for a race win to 55, while retaining stage points. The leader at the end of the regular season will begin the Chase with 2,100 points, with each position below starting with five fewer points. This approach grants greater weight to consistent results throughout the Chase, moving away from having a single race determine the title winner.
Reviewing Last Season’s Climactic Championship Finish
Jesse Love secured the Xfinity Series title at Phoenix in 2025 with a determined drive, passing Zilisch with 24 laps remaining and then holding off Aric Almirola to claim both the race and the championship. Despite Love’s final victory, his playoff run was marked by inconsistent results, including several mid-pack finishes in earlier rounds. In contrast, Zilisch, a former JR Motorsports driver, delivered a strong playoff following a dominant regular season, which led some to debate whether the previous system truly rewarded the season’s best performance.
Busy Off-season Plans Ahead of the 2026 Campaign
While the next season approaches, Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch are staying active in motorsports. Love, now 20 years old and continuing with Richard Childress Racing, will compete in the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, drawing on his history of dirt midget racing success with wins in Xtreme Outlaw and POWRi West events. Next month, he will begin his third full-time season with the team.
Connor Zilisch, aged 19, is gearing up for a global stage as he prepares for his first appearance in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona in the Grand Touring Prototype class. Having started this 24-hour race twice before, he will drive for Action Express Racing alongside full-time teammates Earl Bamber and Jack Aitken on January 24 and 25. Zilisch, now the No. 87 Cup Series driver for Trackhouse Racing, continues to showcase his versatility with ambitions in both stock cars and endurance racing.
Impact of the Format Change and Looking Forward
NASCAR’s return to the Chase format is set to make the championship more reflective of season-long performance, potentially reducing controversy by shifting focus away from a single race. For drivers like Zilisch and Love, the adjustment renews the debate about what makes a true champion and may alter strategies across teams. As the sport adapts, fans and competitors alike will focus on how consistency and resilience shape the next generation of NASCAR champions.
Finally back in a midget here in Tulsa! Race of champions on tap for tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/zmCYxuqK3N
— jesse love jr (@jesselovejr1) January 12, 2026
