Mark Martin was an outspoken critic of the NASCAR win-and-in, elimination style championship format. It was no secret that Martin was in favor of a return to the full-season points format.
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.
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.
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.
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 fans don't seem to be the only ones who are happy about NASCAR's decision to leave playoffs behind and return to the 10-race Chase system it used to determine its champions from 2004-13.
NASCAR announced its return to the 10-race Chase championship format on Monday, which in the Cup Series, will pit the 16 highest drivers in the standings after 26 races against each other in a 10-race postseason battle for the title.
NASCAR may not have presented a full-season points format when it announced its new championship system on Monday, but that doesn't mean a return to full-season points is off the table forever.
Jimmie Johnson is well aware that you can’t please every fan. NASCAR knows that as well, especially when it comes to its championship format. The league on
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 on Monday announced the departure of its win-and-in, elimination style championship format and the reintroduction of a “Chase” style format for the 2026 season and beyond.
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.
If the sports world is the open sea, NASCAR is currently a boat teetering back and forth amid a summer thunderstorm. But Monday's announcement of a return to the 10-race "Chase" championship format should act as calmer waters.
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.