NASCAR is reviving the Chase format after persistent appeals from both fans and insiders, introducing a major change for the series in the current season. Kevin Harvick on NASCAR Chase is a key voice in welcoming this shift, emphasizing its potential to enhance the sport’s credibility and influence beyond the Cup Series itself.
Reasons Behind Bringing Back the Chase Format
The decision to reinstate the Chase approach follows ongoing debates over how best to crown a champion. Competitors advocated valuing season-long consistency, while television stakeholders preferred the excitement that a playoff-style system brings to the closing weeks of the year. NASCAR’s governing body has chosen a middle ground, reverting to the original Chase without adopting a full-season points system across all 36 races. Notably, former series champion Kevin Harvick views the return as a fitting compromise between the competing priorities of fairness and entertainment.
Recent years have seen the playoff system criticized for creating controversy, legal disputes, and questions about the legitimacy of championship winners. By shifting the format back, NASCAR aims to address these concerns and restore fan confidence. According to Harvick, this development not only resonates with long-time followers but also harkens to earlier traditions of the sport, where reliability and cumulative effort defined the best drivers.
Impact on Grassroots and Local Racing
Harvick believes changes at NASCAR’s highest level ripple through all of American motorsport. As he shared in a recent social media video:
“The Cup series in NASCAR is what the parade. When they go to playoffs formats and change things, or restarts, or whatever it is, they are the leader of the racing industry,”
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
This leadership role means NASCAR’s rules and structure set the tone for short-track circuits nationwide. Harvick observed that many racer communities value week-to-week relevancy over one-off victories. The desire to have every round count has influenced divisions like Dirt Late Model Racing and the Lucas Oil Late Models, which have also reverted to cumulative championship formats. He further noted:
“That kind of sets a tone for the short tracks. I think you’ll probably see some of that back up. We saw that in Dirt Late Model Racing, Lucas Oil, Late Models, are back up on their championship formats. The racers, they like the purity of what we do. And having every week matter, you can’t be out here… They run 40-45 dirt races this year. And a lot of these guys will chase championships, and they want every week to matter.”
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
How the Chase Format Changes the Title Race
The reintroduction of the Chase format means drivers and teams will pay dearly for mistakes. Unlike the recent playoff system that sometimes allowed a single win to override a bad stretch of results, every misstep will now diminish championship hopes. Teams must be quick to repair damaged cars and scavenge points all season, fostering a culture where persistence and recovery are as important as outright speed.
In this system, every lap and every race—whether in the regular season or the final 10-race Chase—impacts the championship points. This approach elevates consistency as the primary standard for title contenders, rewarding those who avoid mistakes and regularly finish near the top. However, this scenario complicates entry into the championship battle for specialists who excel only on select tracks; the points table alone will decide the 16 Chase participants.
Notably, drivers like Kyle Busch have shared their reservations, especially with the new system’s harsh penalty for even minor accidents during the regular season. Busch reflected that previously, being caught in one or two wrecks could end a driver’s championship run, and with on-track aggression likely to rise, simply making it through the season without disaster will be an achievement.
What’s at Stake With the Chase’s Return?
The new format intensifies competition by eliminating shortcuts to the title. Drivers can no longer rely on a single victory to secure their spot in the Chase—consistent excellence is essential from Daytona through the final showdown. With every week bearing more significance, the level of resilience required will shape the next era of champions. The change holds particular importance for grassroots racing as well, with NASCAR’s decisions often mirrored by regional tours like CARS Tour West, where Kevin Harvick has recently been involved in development efforts with his son Keelan.
As NASCAR implements the updated Chase, the series will closely monitor its effects on parity, fan engagement, and the sport’s standing as the prime influencer in American racing. The process promises to reward those who thrive under pressure and could redefine the path to becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Kevin Harvick details the expansion of CARS Tour West and the development of son Keelan. pic.twitter.com/9GoCOVxPhN
— Short Track Scene (@ST_Scene) January 17, 2026
