The NASCAR organization is implementing significant changes to its championship format, as it announced a return to the original Chase system beginning in 2026, moving away from the winner-takes-all playoffs format in favor of a structure that many in the community, including Kyle Larson, have long requested. This shift in the playoff system, which directly impacts the Next-Gen car era, promises to reshape the championship battle and has sparked passionate reactions from top racers and enthusiasts alike.
NASCAR Reverts to Chase-Style Playoffs After Years of Debate
After extensive calls from fans and competitors, NASCAR revealed that all its national series will abandon the recent elimination-style playoffs and reinstate the earlier Chase format. Hall of Famer Mark Martin described the 2026 update as a near-perfect compromise for the sport’s devoted followers, reflecting the longstanding sentiment among many who sought a fairer and more consistent approach to determining champions.
Kyle Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion, expressed genuine excitement about the format change. During the Tulsa Shootout weekend, he discussed the shift, sharing his relief that rumors he had heard were finally confirmed, and voicing his belief that the racing format should fit the current style of the Next-Gen car. For him and others, the format needed a reboot to stay aligned with how racing has evolved in recent years.
“I kind of heard rumors of it for at least a month and yeah, just happy. I think the old playoff system was exciting, but I think it also ran its course, and I think the style of what we’re at now with the race car that we got, I think it deserved a format change.”
Kyle Larson told Matt Weaver of Motorsport.com.
Drivers Welcome Broader Championship Opportunities with Updated Format
The reaction among veteran racers, including two-time champion Kyle Larson, has generally been optimistic. Larson is confident that the new format will be warmly embraced by others who have contended for a title in the past, as it gives more drivers a legitimate opportunity to claim the Bill France Cup. By establishing a structure that rewards sustained performance across the playoffs, drivers can rely less on singular clutch moments and more on season-long consistency.
“So yeah, I would assume — I haven’t heard everybody’s comments on it — but I would assume anybody who is a previous contender for a championship with the playoff format is probably more happy that we have this format because I feel like your chances of winning a championship is higher for all of us now.”
Kyle Larson added.
Larson also explained that under the previous format, only those able to make it to the final round and triumph over three others stood a chance at the championship. Now, with the focus shifting to a full 10-race stretch and updated points rewarding race winners even more, drivers and teams can believe in their long-term strategy and skill. Maintaining consistency and securing wins are set to become pivotal factors in the title race.
“It’s really tough to win, to make it to the round of four and then beat three other guys. Now, it comes down to 10 races, you can have a lot of belief in team like I do, be consistent and hopefully win some races as well. It sounds like there’s more points paid for wins, so wins are still really important. And as always, just try to do a good job.”
Kyle Larson asserted.
Chase Elliott Sees New Format as Path to Cleaner, Less Chaotic Racing
Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, has highlighted another important benefit: reducing the chaos that had come to define some of NASCAR’s most memorable playoff moments. Elliott referenced Ross Chastain’s daring wall-ride at Martinsville in 2022, suggesting that high-risk maneuvers were given outsized importance under the former elimination system. For drivers like Elliott, the revised playoffs structure should restore a sense of fairness and competitive integrity to the championship chase, shifting the narrative back to racing skill rather than wild strategies.
“I’m just like, ‘man, we’re talking about the wrong thing here,’ because you don’t know how hard it is to do what Denny did to get himself in that position. Instead, we’re promoting the craziness because it got us on SportsCenter that night and I just thought it was all wrong. So, my point in all of that is this is a great step to not have as many of these chaotic moments and all of us (drivers) realizing there’s enough time for this to come out with the wash.”
Chase Elliott said.
Elliott’s remarks, reflecting on both the challenge and the spectacle of past playoff drama, underline a growing desire among top drivers for a fairer system. He believes this reform will make the Cup Series less reliant on unlikely events and more focused on consistent, high-level performance. As a past champion himself, Elliott is eager to see if he can leverage these changes into renewed success in future title campaigns.
The Significance of the Playoff Overhaul and What Lies Ahead
This major shift to the Chase-style format, motivated by years of debate and input from the NASCAR community, aims to return competitive balance and excitement to the series’ championship battle. Key figures such as Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have endorsed the changes, each emphasizing how the new setup promotes both consistency and strategic race wins. With NASCAR listening to its veterans and acknowledging the demands of the Next-Gen era, fans and drivers alike will watch closely as the sport adapts heading into 2026.
How these changes will ultimately affect drivers like Larson, Elliott, and contenders throughout the field remains to be seen, but the move is poised to be one of the most impactful in modern stock-car racing history. The decision signals a renewed commitment to fairness, driver skill, and lasting excitement for everyone invested in NASCAR’s future championships.
Kyle Larson says the NASCAR Playoffs ran its course and he's happy about the return of the Chase for the Championship pic.twitter.com/2DNciq7FpT
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) January 13, 2026
