Chase Elliott advocates NASCAR off weekends as a beneficial way to improve driver performance and overall enthusiasm. Speaking recently, he emphasized that increasing the number of breaks in the NASCAR Cup Series schedule could help prevent burnout and make competitors more eager for the races.
Currently, the Cup Series calendar only includes a single off weekend during the Easter holiday. However, the 2026 schedule introduces an additional break between the Indianapolis and Iowa races, signaling a potential shift toward more rest periods. Despite this change, many believe the series would still benefit from adding extra off weekends.
Teams encountered notable challenges during the June trip to Mexico City for the first-ever Cup race outside the United States, with travel delays stranding many at the Charlotte airport. These disruptions forced adjustments to the race weekend, showing that additional breaks could ease logistical pressures ahead of such events.
On The Teardown podcast, Elliott expressed support for expanding the number of off weekends, viewing it as a positive step for both drivers and teams.
“Increasing the off weekends I think would be a win for everyone and make people hungrier for what we have and what we do on a weekly basis. So I think that’s a, you know, would be a healthy thing,” he said. [0:31 onwards]
“I’m fine running if we were to want to run 50 races….Totally fine, you know, racing as much as they want to race. I just think the calendar, your time that we burn up is what we could help with and creating some hunger in those off months,” he added.
Heading into the NASCAR playoffs, Chase Elliott holds seven playoff points. His teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman, also secured a playoff spot thanks to Ryan Blaney’s recent win at Daytona. Elliott himself ended a streak of underwhelming finishes with a solid top-10 result, signaling a potentially strong postseason.
Chase Elliott Expresses Enthusiasm for NASCAR Playoffs
Elliott described the playoff phase as the most thrilling part of the NASCAR season, shedding light on how the regular races can sometimes feel routine. The intensity of the final stretch renews his motivation, making it easier to prepare and focus on what’s at stake.
“For me, those last 10 are…they feel like the sport should feel to me. It just makes it really easy to get up and get excited and get fired up and do your homework and everything else, because you know what’s on the line,” he said via X/SiriusXM NASCAR radio.
While Elliott experienced no victories earlier in the season, his consistency propelled him to second place in the driver standings through multiple top-10 finishes. His lone win at Echopark Speedway secured his playoff position and briefly placed him atop the leaderboard before William Byron reclaimed the lead.
The push for additional off weekends, as voiced by Elliott, could reshape the NASCAR calendar by balancing a busy racing schedule with necessary rest. This approach might improve driver health, increase competition levels, and help maintain fan interest throughout the season. As the 2026 season approaches with new breaks planned, it remains to be seen whether the series will further embrace more spaced-out racing to enhance performance and excitement.
