Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott recently shared his perspective on the anticipated shift in the NASCAR playoff format ahead of the 2026 season, endorsing the rumored 3-3-4 race structure. Speaking in a pre-race interview with NASCAR reporter Dalton Hopkins before the upcoming Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Elliott highlighted how the new format could improve the championship competition. This adjustment follows ongoing discussions about the current 3-3-3-1 playoff system, which has faced criticism for not always reflecting consistent driver performance in the championship outcome.
The existing playoff system involves three rounds of three races each—the Round of 16, Round of 12, and Round of 8—culminating in a final championship event at Phoenix Raceway. Despite this configuration, some fans and analysts have expressed dissatisfaction, particularly after Team Penske’s Joey Logano captured his third title last season with uneven results. To address these concerns, NASCAR is reportedly planning to implement the 3-3-4 format, where drivers will race in two rounds of three events before a concluding four-race stretch to decide the Cup Series champion.
Chase Elliott weighed in on this potential modification, suggesting that it could offer a more balanced championship battle. He stated,
“I think it would be better than what we have…Because you just have a larger amount of races at around to decide. You know, it could, it would, seemingly, would give an opportunity to, you know, have something that’s totally out of somebody’s hands, not completely derail their championship. What is now day, you know, their shop. So, it seems like, is it perfect? Probably not. But I would say that that sounds better.” —Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Recent Performances and Upcoming Events for Chase Elliott
Following a third-place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway, Chase Elliott is preparing to compete at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025. This 266.5-mile event will be broadcast live on USA Network and HBO Max, with real-time coverage available via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and PRN. Elliott’s momentum and adaptation to the evolving NASCAR playoff formats remain closely watched in the racing community as the season heads toward its critical final stages.
Insights from Elliott’s Discussion with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Overcoming a Winless Streak
Earlier this year, Chase Elliott candidly reflected on his struggles during a winless stretch in a conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. Though Elliott secured a victory at Texas Motor Speedway in early 2024, he experienced a prolonged period without wins until clinching triumph again at the second Atlanta Motor Speedway race, a victory that also solidified his playoff qualification.
During this exchange, Elliott emphasized the importance of personal accountability and teamwork throughout performance challenges, stating,
“Man, we’ve just been doing this long enough to know, like, it all kind of starts and ends with us. We have to make sure we’re doing our part, and I’m doing my part and just bringing everything I can possibly bring every single week. It’s the honest conversations that we have on Monday mornings that are either going to make us better or make us fail. All of the pieces of the puzzle are there. We’re working on the right things. I think I’m asking for the right things out of the car. I’m really proud of our team for just sticking together.” —Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Previously, Elliott competed for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., before advancing to the NASCAR Cup Series. Currently, in the 2025 season, Elliott holds ninth place in the Cup Series points standings with 2,071 points, one win, 14 top-ten finishes, and eight top-fives across 28 starts.
Implications of the New NASCAR Playoff Format on Championship Outcomes
The adoption of the 3-3-4 playoff format in 2026 could influence how drivers strategize for the championship, introducing more races in the final round to determine the series winner. By allocating a larger number of races toward deciding the champion, this structure aims to reduce the impact of isolated issues or unpredictable events that may currently derail a competing driver’s chances. Elliott’s endorsement suggests that drivers themselves are considering the benefits of a more comprehensive playoff schedule in maintaining fairness and competition intensity.
As NASCAR approaches the implementation of this revised format, fans and drivers alike will be watching closely to see if these changes bring a more consistent and competitive environment. Chase Elliott’s ongoing performance and adaptability will be significant to monitor as he continues to contend in the evolving landscape of the sport’s premier series.
