Chase Elliott has publicly applauded NASCAR’s decision to bring back the classic Chase playoff format for the 2026 season and beyond, marking a significant change in how the championship will be decided. The Chase Elliott championship format reaction highlights both the sport’s appeal to fans and the aim to enhance competition among top drivers.
Elliott Reflects on the Return to ‘The Chase’
During a press conference with reporters, Elliott made clear his support for the upcoming changes to NASCAR’s championship system. He emphasized his passion for the sport, recalling the period when The Chase was previously used, and the excitement it generated.
“I think we all want it to be better because, to Dale [Earnhardt Jr.]’s point, we are fans of this sport,”
Chase Elliott said to a group of reporters during a press conference. Elliott explained his perspective as someone who grew up enjoying the excitement of the battles seen during The Chase years.
Elliott reminisced about the intense showdowns that occurred from 2004 to 2013, when drivers regularly competed at high levels for the championship, and he praised NASCAR for choosing a format that balances tradition and competition.
“We often times forget just how good we had it through those years of ‘The Chase’ format,”
he said, noting the positive compromise from NASCAR’s changes.
The driver added,
“I think getting a full season was going to be a really big challenge. I’m not sure if there’s really a better place to land than a true 10-race chase, really similar to what we had through those years of the epic battles that we saw.”
How the Revised Format Will Work
The new structure reinstates The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series, making the final 10 races the battleground for the championship. Sixteen drivers—those with the highest points at the end of the regular season—will qualify for this playoff round. The highest-seeded competitor will start with a 25-point advantage over the second seed, changing the playoff dynamics.
Unlike the previous system, where a single win in the regular season could guarantee a playoff spot, The Chase approach eliminates automatic entry based solely on a race victory. Instead, it places greater value on consistent performance across all events, increasing the importance of every race during the season.
NASCAR’s Perspective on the Format Adjustment
NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell commented on the move, explaining,
“As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race,”
and emphasizing the league’s emphasis on tradition:
“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.”
Impact for Drivers and Teams Moving Forward
Chase Elliott, a former Cup Series champion in 2020 and regular season winner in 2022, appears motivated and optimistic about his chances in the reinstituted playoff system. His recent performance, including two race wins and an eighth-place finish in the final standings, signals his readiness for the challenges and opportunities created by the new format.
The decision to revisit a playoff system rooted in NASCAR’s past traditions suggests an effort to blend nostalgia with competitive modern racing. As teams and fans adjust to the coming changes, figures like Elliott and Steve O’Donnell serve as influential voices highlighting both the excitement and responsibility to honor the sport’s dedicated fan base and rich history. The reintroduction of The Chase format is poised to shape the direction of the championship for years to come.
