Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has expressed his support for NASCAR’s decision to revert to the Chase format starting in 2026. The sport used the 16-driver elimination playoff system from 2014 through 2025 before announcing this significant shift. As a part-time driver and co-owner of the Legacy Motor Club, Johnson reflected on the change, emphasizing the value of the Chase format where he claimed six of his seven titles.
Jimmie Johnson Sees the Chase as a Balanced Approach
During an interview before this year’s Daytona 500, motorsports insider Steven Taranto asked Johnson about his perspective on NASCAR returning to The Chase system. While Johnson has grown to respect the recent elimination-style playoff, he views the Chase as the ideal compromise for the sport. The California native highlighted how the previous system rewarded consistency and season-long effort.
“When you look at it on paper, I don’t know how you find a more fair, year-long way to do it. You have to earn every single point along the way, and it created all these interesting touch points of elimination rounds and one-race winner-take-all, so on paper, it played well,”
Johnson said.
Though adapted to the newer playoff format, Johnson believes the 10-race Chase offered the right balance by testing drivers over varied tracks while emphasizing steady performance. He suspects that this perspective partly influenced NASCAR’s decision to revert back.
“I felt like a 10-race format represented that very well, and I still feel that way and assume some of that is reflected in the change of going back to it, but we’ll see. It’s so tough. Our sport is just different. When we try to compare it to stick and ball sports, it’s just tough to find the real parallels,”
Johnson added.
Johnson Encourages NASCAR to Stay True to Its Identity
Beyond the playoff structure, Johnson expressed enthusiasm about NASCAR’s recent efforts to explore its brand and find a distinct identity. He urged the sport to focus on its unique culture rather than mimicking other professional sports.
“We’re just gonna go be ourselves. We need to stop focusing too hard on other sports. Let’s just go be us and authentic us as NASCAR and we’ll put on a great show,”
Johnson said.
Johnson is preparing for his 23rd start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15. With 83 career Cup Series wins, he secured his position in the race using the open exemption provisional. Johnson has won the Great American Race twice, in 2006 and 2013, and last year finished third driving the #84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, marking his best top-five in the event since 2020.
As part-owner of Legacy Motor Club alongside fellow legend Richard Petty, Johnson helps field two full-time Cup Series cars, driven by Erik Jones in the #43 and John Hunter Nemechek in the #42. The team continues to play a notable role in NASCAR’s competitive landscape as the return to the Chase format approaches.
Had to ask Jimmie Johnson about the return of the Chase system. Jimmie spoke a bit about the Chase vs. the Playoffs, but also spoke to the new direction NASCAR is pursuing in general.
"We're just gonna go be ourselves. We need to stop focusing too hard on other sports – Let's… pic.twitter.com/kPFqtgaIcn
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 11, 2026
As expected, 45 entries for Daytona 500. Eight open cars for four spots: 36-CSmith 40-Allgaier 44-Yeley 62-Alfredo 66-TBA(Mears) 67-Heim 78-McLeod 99-LaJoie. … 84-Johnson has open exemption provisional. … it will be a 41-car field @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/WsSJ7UAw8x
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 9, 2026
