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On YouTubeNASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
NASCAR exec says 'hand-wringing' about playoff format began after 2024 season
NASCAR officially revealed its new championship format on Monday, unveiling a return to a 10-race Chase that replaces the elimination-style playoff system that was used from 2014-25.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
Kyle Larson says NASCAR's old playoff system 'ran its course,' Chase format 'benefits everybody'
Larson will forever go down as the final champion who won a NASCAR Cup Series title in the sport's playoff era, but he won't be too torn up to see NASCAR return to the Chase format in 2026.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
Kyle Busch points out flaw in new Chase format that's a product of modern NASCAR
Busch has just about seen it all in his NASCAR career, including the sport's first "Chase" era from 2004-13.
Carl Edwards News / The Spun / January 13
Catching Up With NASCAR Star Carl Edwards
[Editor’s note: This article is from The Spun’s “Then and Now” magazine, featuring interviews with more than 50 sports stars of yesteryear. Order your copy online today, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] Carl Edwards stood moments away from NASCAR immortality.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
Joey Logano reacts to NASCAR's playoff format change
The sentiment surrounding NASCAR's decision to move back to a 10-race Chase championship format in 2026 and abandon the playoffs has largely been positive,
Mark Martin News / Racing America on SI / January 13
Martin's Persistence Led to Massive Change in NASCAR Title Format
"I feel like we won. I do." Those were the thoughts expressed by Mark Martin on Monday afternoon, after NASCAR finally announced its anticipated new championship format.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
Top five moments in NASCAR's first 'Chase' era
NASCAR on Monday announced the return of the Chase format to decide its champions for 2026 and beyond, where the top 16 drivers after 26 races will battle it out in a 10-race postseason for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 13
Tony Stewart set to make first NASCAR start in nearly a decade at Daytona
For the first time in nearly 10 years, Stewart will be back behind the wheel of a NASCAR vehicle at Daytona International Speedway in February.
Kyle Larson News / 5 GOATs / January 13
Kyle Larson welcomes NASCAR championship format change, says old system ran its course
Kyle Larson won a pair of NASCAR Cup Series championships under the win-and-in, elimination style championship format. Of course, he will always fondly remember that time period in his career.
NASCAR News / The SportsRush / January 13
NASCAR Executives Hail Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin for Massive Role in Bringing Changes in NASCAR
NASCAR does not always appreciate drivers speaking out against the organization or its rules. It expects obedience and prefers that drivers walk a straight line that does not upset investors or sponsors, and teams often expect the same.
NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / January 13
Bell, Larson Score Victories Monday at Chili Bowl Nationals
It was a stellar night for NASCAR drivers at the Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as festivities for the 40th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals got underway on Monday, first with the annual Race of Champions, and then with the typical Monday Night Prelims.
Ryan Blaney News / The SportsRush / January 13
Ryan Blaney Brings Back the Legitimacy Question Around Playoff System, Claims ‘Respect Was Lost’ in That Era
NASCAR has finally announced that the Cup Series will once again adopt the Chase format to decide its champion, following more than a year of ugly arguments and infighting.
Mark Martin News / The SportsRush / January 13
'It Was Pretty Ugly': Mark Martin Gets Emotional After Year-Long Campaign Bears Fruit
None would have been happier than Mark Martin when NASCAR announced on Monday that it would adopt the previously used Chase format for the 2026 Cup Series season.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 12
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR wasted time chasing fans that 'didn't exist' with playoffs
Part of what NASCAR was attempting to do with its elimination-style playoff format that was used from 2014-25 was create "Game 7 moments" that are often seen in the postseasons of stick and ball sports.
William Sawalich News / Yardbarker / January 12
NASCAR driver met the Pope while on offseason vacation in Rome
Every NASCAR driver's offseason looks different, and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver William Sawalich certainly had an offseason to remember.
Chase Elliott News / The SportsRush / January 12
Chase Elliott Has Just One Complaint About NASCAR’s Return to the Chase Format
NASCAR announced on Monday that the Cup Series will be returning to a modified version of the previously used Chase format (2004-2013) for the 2026 season.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 12
How NASCAR's 2026 Chase schedule compares to previous iterations
The final 10 races of the 2026 NASCAR season will see the top-16 drivers in the Cup Series points standings after 26 regular-season events fight it out to determine the champion under the new Chase format, which NASCAR used from 2004-13.
NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 12
Ben Kennedy: 2026 NASCAR champion will be 'worthy' under new points format
Fans have long had their frustrations with the NASCAR playoff system, but those can now be put in the rearview as NASCAR moves forward to an old system fitted for modern times.
NASCAR News / Field Level Media / January 12
NASCAR brings back original 10-race Chase playoff format
NASCAR's Cup Series future will be a blast from the past as the original 10-race postseason returns in 2026 with 16 drivers battling it out for the title over the final two months.
NASCAR News / Total Apex Sports / January 12
Chef Boyardee Partners with Hyak Motorsports and Stenhouse Jr.
Chef Boyardee is officially teaming up with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports team for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. It’s always cool to see a brand we grew up with jumping into the sport, and this pairing feels like a solid fit.
Tyler Reddick News / Racing America on SI / January 12
23XI Racing, Reddick Announce Multi-Race Partnership with SupplyHouse
Tyler Reddick and the No. 45 23XI Racing team will have a new multi-race primary sponsorship partner for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as SupplyHouse, an e-commerce provider of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies, has signed on as an Official Partner of the organization.
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