The structure of the 2025 NASCAR Cup championship contenders would have looked very different if the revised playoff rules, set to debut in 2026, had already been in place for this past season. As controversy surrounded the traditional Championship 4 format, NASCAR moved to implement changes designed to increase competitiveness and accuracy in crowning its champion.
Ever since NASCAR adopted the four-round, 10-race playoff format in 2014, the goal was to create dramatic finales similar to a “Game 7” moment every season. That mission succeeded for twelve years, yet the format continually faced backlash. Fans and participants questioned whether the format really highlighted the year’s best driver or, rather, produced contrived excitement mainly for entertainment’s sake. Joey Logano winning the 2024 championship from 15th in regular season points and, a year later, Kyle Larson’s title following a controversial late yellow flag reignited those complaints.
The Shift Back to a Chase-Style System
Mounting criticism led to a critical overhaul of the postseason structure for 2026. The biggest change: the playoff field will now be based strictly on regular season points—no more “win and in.” Sixteen drivers will enter the playoffs, all seeded by their regular season performance, and then battle over a single 10-race round with no elimination rounds and no one-race shootout for the title. Point bonuses will reward regular season high performers, but there are no regular resets throughout the playoffs; the champion simply is the driver with the most points at the end of the Chase.
This system means that, had it been in effect in 2025, the pool of 2025 NASCAR Cup championship contenders would have expanded and remained open until the very last race, amplifying the pressure and tension for all involved.
How Six Drivers Could Have Taken the Title in 2025
After recalculating the 2025 standings using the new Chase format’s points system—including the awaiting increase in race win points from 40 to 55 and preserving existing stage points rules—analysts discovered that six drivers could have clinched the championship going into the Phoenix Raceway finale. These drivers were Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Denny Hamlin—each with a mathematical shot at topping the championship table after the final flag based on their playoff accumulations.
Here is how the points would have stacked up heading into the final race under the soon-to-be-adopted format:
1. Kyle Larson — 2,415 points
2. Christopher Bell — 2,413 points (2 points behind)
3. Chase Briscoe — 2,412 points (3 points behind)
4. William Byron — 2,403 points (12 points behind)
5. Ryan Blaney — 2,371 points (44 points behind)
6. Denny Hamlin — 2,365 points (50 points behind)
After the Phoenix finale, the adjusted results would have been:
1. Kyle Larson — 2,462 points
2. Christopher Bell — 2,445 points (17 points behind)
3. Chase Briscoe — 2,436 points (26 points behind)
4. Ryan Blaney — 2,429 points (33 points behind)
5. William Byron — 2,425 points (37 points behind)
6. Denny Hamlin — 2,414 points (48 points behind)
Addressing the Flaws in the Old System
A key issue that motivated these playoff revisions was the ongoing concern that deserving drivers sometimes were left out of the championship fight, while others advanced on circumstances rather than consistent season-long performance. This was especially apparent in 2025, when the top playoff scorer before the finale did not even qualify for the Championship 4.
To make the recalculated points as accurate as possible, analysts included potential stage points for all six relevant drivers at Phoenix, reflecting that stage racing remains important in the new format. This deeper pool of eligible champions in the final race suggests the incoming format may fulfill fans’ calls for more authentic championship battles based on season-long merit, rather than momentary playoff drama or luck.
While there will still be an initial points reset for the 16 Chase qualifiers, critics argue that even that change retains a degree of manufactured tension. Yet, compared to previous years, the new approach increases fairness and rewards steady excellence.
What the New Format Means for Fans and Drivers
For the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series and beyond, every lap and stage finish will take on heightened significance, with championship hopes riding on consistency, not just a single clutch performance or dramatic twist. As NASCAR heads toward the 68th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, anticipation is building to see whether the new format delivers on its promise of a genuine season-long contest among its championship contenders, including standouts like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe.
The move away from a single-race title decider marks a return to rewarding the best overall performance of the year, a significant change that many believe will restore competitive integrity to NASCAR’s postseason. With six drivers nearly winning the 2025 Cup if rules were different, the new structure may ensure future champions truly embody season-long excellence.
