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01/12 15:28 CST NASCAR's 'Chase' returns: What fans need to know about the 2026 format NASCAR's 'Chase' returns: What fans need to know about the 2026 format By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- NASCAR's nearly two-year study into an overhaul of its championship-deciding format concluded Monday with the reveal that in 2026 the stock car series will return to a 10-race version closely resembling the very first iteration introduced 22 years ago. The system will return to a 10-race format consisting of the top 16 drivers in the regular-season standings. There will be no driver eliminations every three races, winning will be incentivized and its name will return to "The Chase." The driver with the most points at the Nov. 8 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be the champion. "As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell said. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR's storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. "Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend." The changes come amidst fan complaints to periodic tweaks over changes to the system that was largely unchanged from its 2004 introduction to 2013, when Jimmie Johnson won six of his record-tying seven championships. Changes slowly followed, with eliminations, an expanded field, a win-and-in guarantee and finally a winner-take-all season finale. Fans had grown weary of the changes. Regular-season victories guaranteed a slot in the 10-race playoffs, a win in any of the first three three-race rounds advanced a driver into the next round, while the bottom three drivers at the end of each round were eliminated. Finally, the winner was simply the highest-finishing driver among four remaining title contenders in the season finale.

The tipping point That system reached its breaking point in November when Denny Hamlin dominated the race until a late caution changed the final sequence and Kyle Larson won his second title by simply finishing ahead of Hamlin despite Larson not leading a single lap at Phoenix Raceway while mired in a 25-race losing streak. Hamlin had won two playoff races --- a Cup Series high six victories on the season --- and led 208 of the 319 laps at Phoenix. He was the leader with three to go when a late caution changed the outcome and sent the race into overtime; Larson finished third, two spots ahead of Hamlin, to automatically claim the championship. It wasn't the only race on the final weekend of 2025 that didn't finish as expected. Corey Heim had 11 victories at the start of the Truck Series finale at Phoenix but needed to dip his truck low in an outrageous seven-wide scramble in overtime to secure the title. He did pull out the win and NASCAR dodged the controversy of the most consistent driver being denied a championship because of a gimmicky format. NASCAR wasn't so fortunate the next night in the Xfinity Series when 10-race winner Connor Zilisch lost the championship because Jesse Love won the race. Love opened the season with a win at Daytona and closed it with a win at Phoenix --- his only two victories of the season but good enough in that format for a championship. Fan discourse --- which had been building for several years and intensified after Joey Logano won two titles in three years including in 2024 when he advanced on another's driver elimination --- exploded after Hamlin. The changes announced Monday were already in the works and came after an extensive review that included collaboration between owners, drivers, automobile manufacturers, tracks, broadcast partners, and fans. "Going into Phoenix was a hold your breath moment," O'Donnell said. "We recognize someone winning the championship, absolutely they won it by the rules. But was it the best format that we could go with? The tide had turned in the garage." The new format is designed to bolster the importance of each race and reward consistency while maintaining the importance of winning. It will be known as its original name, ?The Chase,' with an also accepted use of ?postseason,' NASCAR is eliminating the vernacular 'playoffs' and ?regular-season champion.'

NASCAR's new format Moving forward, the driver with the most points after the postseason finale will be champion in all three NASCAR national series. The Chase will comprise of the final 10 races for the Cup Series. NASCAR has eliminated the automatic berth into the playoff field earned by winning during the regular season, a move designed to increase the importance of every event on the schedule and emphasize consistency throughout the regular season. A race victory win will now earn the winning driver 55 points, up from 40 points, to reward drivers who battle for wins instead of settling for a solid points days. NASCAR hopes it encourages aggressive racing and strong team performance. Points for all other positions, including stage points, remain the same. The points leader after the regular season will receive a 25-point cushion over the second seed as the points will be reset for the 16 Chase drivers. A win in a playoff race no longer earns the automatic advancement into the next round --- a move NASCAR says prevents teams from using the remainder of that particular round as preparation time for the finale. ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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