Joe Gibbs Racing playoff hopes have been reignited with NASCAR’s return to the Chase format for the 2026 season, offering the team a system that emphasizes consistent performance rather than single-race miracles. This major change follows years of frustration, including Denny Hamlin’s recent heartbreak, and now resets the path toward the championship for JGR as the season gets underway.
Old System Frustrations Set the Stage for Change
Joe Gibbs Racing has long felt the previous playoff system was more of a gamble than a reward for their year-long efforts. The structure, heavily centered on “win and you’re in,” often failed to reflect the performances that built up over the season. For drivers like Denny Hamlin, near-misses under this format were a recurring disappointment, and the frustrations became especially visible when championship dreams were cut short despite strong seasons.
Last year’s finale at Phoenix was particularly tough for the team. Chase Briscoe showcased determination by battling through a tire problem that dropped him from the championship lead. Despite climbing back into contention, the “winner-take-all” system ultimately left him and the team empty-handed, highlighting a recurring flaw in the system.
Chase Briscoe Welcomes the Revised Playoff Format
The 2026 NASCAR season has introduced a format that brings a new sense of fairness for Joe Gibbs Racing. On NASCAR Live, current JGR driver Chase Briscoe expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Chase, drawing on his own experiences with the previous format:
“You know, I was an example of last year where, when we won the first race of the playoff round, if I didn’t win the next week, it didn’t matter if I finished second or dead last,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver.
“It made no difference for me, whereas now every race is going to matter. And I think that’s pretty cool,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Briscoe, at age 31, saw his efforts fall short not for lack of speed but for a cruel twist of fate. His strong finish at Talladega, which secured his Champions 4 spot with a daring last-lap pass, was overshadowed by the stark reality that consistent finishes were not previously rewarded. Under the new format, these scenarios are less likely to undermine a driver’s championship aspirations.
Wins no longer serve as the only ticket to the postseason. Now, placement in the top 16 through season-long points will decide who moves into the Chase, a method that rewards regular performance and consistency rather than single spectacular moments.
How the Chase Format Works and Who Benefits
This version of the playoffs expects the top sixteen from the standings to qualify based on their regular-season results, not just breakthrough victories. Once in the Chase, drivers engage in ten postseason races. Regular season points for wins now have added weight, with each victory earning 55 points for the championship tally. The overall championship will be awarded to the driver who collects the most points from those last ten races—shifting the focus to ongoing excellence rather than a one-race shootout in Phoenix.
The regular-season points leader also gains an advantage at the start of the playoffs, acknowledging the strength shown over the majority of the schedule. This structure is reminiscent of the system that saw historic title runs, like those of Jimmie Johnson. Briscoe described his excitement over the revival of a system he grew up admiring:
“I’m excited. This is the format that I kind of grew up on. You know, it’s a little bit different now, but still, I grew up watching the Chase and just remember, you know, obviously Jimmie’s run. I think the one probably the coolest was the 2011 one with Tony and Carl. I mean, that was just one of those unbelievable battles. So yeah, I’m excited,”
Chase Briscoe, Driver.
Joe Gibbs Racing Looks to Rebuild Its Playoff Reputation
For Joe Gibbs Racing, the move back to a points-based approach plays to their traditional steady hand throughout the regular season. The team, which counts on drivers like Briscoe and the seasoned points leader, is positioned to benefit greatly. The No. 19 car, with Briscoe at the wheel, stands out as a serious contender for the upcoming championship under the new structure.
With wins still valuable and consistency regaining its significance, JGR no longer faces the pitfalls of seeing a hard-fought year erased by a single bad race. This return to a merit-based playoff could help talents like Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and others maximize their potential for a title run.
Briscoe Balances Driver and Owner Duties Despite Setbacks
While Briscoe remains a key asset behind the wheel for Joe Gibbs Racing, his separate responsibilities as a team owner have recently presented fresh challenges. His Chili Bowl program, which fielded drivers like Jordan Kinser and Karter Sarff, encountered heartbreak during the latest event. A late caution allowed Christopher Bell to seize control of the preliminary race, leaving Briscoe’s team disappointed after a fast-paced effort:
“It definitely could have been better,”
Chase Briscoe, Owner/Driver.
“Last night still kind of stings. We had just passed Christopher, and then the caution came out, and we started right behind him. We kind of got shuffled at the start. And, you know, Christopher ends up winning, and we run eighth, so that one kind of stings, but we’ve been fast at least,”
Chase Briscoe, Owner/Driver.
Despite not matching their ambitions in the Chili Bowl, Briscoe observes clear progress, underscoring his team’s readiness to push for improved results in the future. The continued development of his racing enterprises mirrors his resilience on the NASCAR circuit and reflects how one setback does not define the course of a season—or a career.
Looking Ahead: JGR’s Playoff Comeback and the Season’s Stakes
The shift back to the Chase format transforms the playoff landscape for Joe Gibbs Racing and its competitors. With every race now carrying greater weight toward the championship, the pressure will be on drivers to perform consistently from the regular season’s start through the final run of playoff races. This change not only revives championship hopes for JGR but could also usher in a new era of intense points battles reminiscent of legendary showdowns like those of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards in 2011.
For Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and the rest of the Joe Gibbs Racing crew, the revamped playoff system offers a fairer path to glory, and the upcoming season promises to test their strengths across every lap and pit stop. With the intensity dialed up and the path to the title redefined, JGR’s battle for NASCAR’s top honor enters an exciting new chapter.
