NASCAR’s decision to bring back the original chase format for the 2026 season has sparked widespread debate across the stock car racing championship community. Among the most prominent voices weighing in is veteran driver Kyle Busch, who has shared his candid perspective on the changes and highlighted what he sees as a critical flaw in the format’s upcoming return.
The new system will place equal emphasis on both race victories and season-long consistency, which many in the racing world believe restores a sense of legitimacy to the championship structure. This announcement has already generated excitement among racers, owners, and fans, all eager to see how the change will affect future competition.
Kyle Busch Shares Hopes and Cautions for the Next-Gen Chase Era
Having won two championships in the era following the original chase, Kyle Busch stands out as an experienced champion familiar with both the old and new point systems. He openly expressed optimism about the potential impact of the format’s return, though admitted that much will depend on how teams and drivers adapt to the updated rules.
“Hopefully it’s better and people like it. We’ll see how everybody attacks it and what they do in order to make the most of their opportunity to go race for championships.”
– Kyle Busch told Peter Stratta of TSJ Sports.
Busch’s viewpoint acknowledges the enthusiasm building within the community, but he also brought critical attention to the risks involved. He recalled that in past chase formats, suffering a single crash—or “Did Not Finish” (DNF)—could destroy an entire season of hard work for championship chasers. According to Busch, the current state of racing, marked by an increase in aggressive driving and frequent wrecks, only magnifies the dangers for contenders.
“I remember when we had The Chase format. Getting wrecked once or twice, you’re eliminated. You have no chance at a championship. And with wrecks being a whole heck of a lot more these days of people running over people, maybe it will keep it even because everybody’s getting wrecked in the final 10.”
– Kyle Busch added.
An Evolving Field: Aggression and Unpredictability in the Modern NASCAR
Busch explained that the rise of younger, more aggressive drivers in the Next-Gen era has increased the likelihood of accidents in key races. The risk that a single wreck could eliminate a strong competitor from championship contention is higher now than ever before. This trend is something Busch believes everyone in NASCAR will need to adapt to, as the chase format is reintroduced to a new generation of racers and teams.
The challenge, according to many in the community, is whether the newly adjusted point system will do enough to balance out the impact that dangerous wrecks have on the season-long battles. As the dynamic of aggressive racing becomes the norm, every race in the final ten will be crucial, and surviving the mayhem could be as important as outright speed or skill.
Kyle Busch on NASCAR’s Leadership Change Following Steve Phelps’ Departure
In addition to major format changes, NASCAR is also facing a major transition in leadership. Steve Phelps, the commissioner whose influence spanned partnerships with key manufacturers, teams, and broadcast partners, recently resigned amid controversy. Busch spoke about Phelps’ role in the league and how crucial his experience and style were for strengthening NASCAR’s standing with its various partners.
“I mean, I don’t know the ins and outs of all of what Phelps did. But just through some of the rumblings: His ability to be able to talk amongst all of the key partners, right the OEMs and the league personnel below him, then of course the teams and owners, things like that, TV people radio handling businesses getting media rights things that he did.”
– Kyle Busch said.
With Phelps stepping down, attention now turns to who will step into the commissioner’s role at such a pivotal time. When asked for his opinion on a suitable successor, Busch named Mike Helton as his preferred choice. Currently the Vice Chairman of NASCAR, Helton’s longstanding reputation—including decades as NASCAR’s president—makes him a widely respected figure throughout the motorsports world.
“He (Steve) was very charismatic… I’d put [Mike] Helton back in if it were me.”
– Kyle Busch added.
NASCAR officials, teams, and fans alike now await a decision that could define the next era of the organization. The process may take time, as finding a candidate capable of uniting league personnel, teams, and other stakeholders presents a formidable challenge.
Looking Ahead to NASCAR’s New Era
As both the chase format return and the search for new leadership mark crossroads for NASCAR, much remains uncertain. Kyle Busch’s insights highlight not just optimism for the future but also deep concerns that echo throughout the garage—especially around consistent competition in an environment where even top racers are more vulnerable to sudden exits. The choices made in the coming months, from governance to rule tweaks, will shape how the sport’s stars like Busch, emerging drivers, and championship chasers approach their quest for victory in the years ahead.
Moving forward, fans and racers will be closely watching how NASCAR navigates these foundational shifts, with the hope that the next chapter brings renewed excitement and fairer pathways to the championship prize.
.@KyleBusch gave his thoughts on NASCAR’s new/old format, testing at @NWBSpeedway, and his friendship with Greg Biffle.
“Any crashes will kill your championship run”#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/HGlnHnAQOh
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 13, 2026
