Joey Logano shared how his approach will adapt as NASCAR transitions to a new championship system in 2026, marking a major change for drivers seeking the coveted Cup title. This strategic shift places the spotlight on consistency, directly impacting the Joey Logano NASCAR championship strategy as teams and drivers prepare for the altered path to victory.
NASCAR Overhauls Championship Format for 2026
NASCAR announced on Monday that it will move away from the win-and-in, elimination-style playoff format that governed the sport from 2014 through 2025. The organization plans to bring back a version of the classic Chase system beginning with the 2026 season. This change comes as drivers and teams look for a format that rewards both winning and season-long performance. Joey Logano’s prominent history with the outgoing format—where he secured more Cup Series championships than any other competitor—will be closely associated with its era.
Although Logano has generally supported the elimination-style playoffs, he made it clear that he is not focused on the system itself, but on winning under whatever rules exist.
“There were a lot of different ideas that were thrown out there; this one I didn’t hear about. I’m good with it. Listen, my job is not to have an opinion about the playoff format. My job is to win the playoff format,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver.
“That’s my job is to win the big trophy at the end of the day, so whatever it is, I’m good with it, I’m not gonna complain about it. I’m gonna focus on doing my job, which is to go out there and win.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver.
Chase Format Details: Consistency Becomes the Key
The updated Chase will see the top 16 drivers in regular season points—after 26 races—qualify for a 10-race playoff. Instead of knockouts or automatic berths for race winners, the champion will be decided by total points accumulated during the playoff stretch. NASCAR also plans to boost the value of a race victory, increasing points for a win from 40 to 55. Further, the regular-season points leader will begin the playoffs with an extra 25 points. According to NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell, the intention is to blend the drama of playoffs with importance across the full season, ensuring that every lap is significant in the final standings.
Strategy Shifts for Drivers and Teams
Logano is one of the few active drivers with real-world experience under the original Chase, potentially giving him and his crew chief an edge in preparing for the transition. He believes the new setup will punish inconsistency far more than in previous years.
“bad days are gonna be a bigger penalty than before.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver.
He also elaborated on how success will rely even more on steady performance rather than bracing for knockout rounds or playing for single-race wins.
“I think it comes down to being more consistent,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver. Logano emphasized that under the new points system, drivers entering the playoffs far behind the leader will face a steep challenge:
“The bad days are gonna be a bigger penalty than before. I think you look at it, just a few minutes ago, where you would be if you came into the playoffs 12th—you’re 75-80 points back. You’re gonna try to make that up in 16 weeks against the best 16 cars? Probably not going to happen, so you have to be good throughout the whole season. The do or die moment may not be there anymore, it will be in some cases, but not as much as we’ve seen every three races throughout the playoff before.”
With the focus on points rather than elimination drama, Logano expects significant changes in car setups, strategic decisions on race day, and even in his own driving style.
“It’s rewarding more consistency throughout the season, so your strategy changes a lot. Not just as a driver but how you build the cars, how you call the races as a crew chief is gonna be different, from behind the wheel your aggressive level of is it worth making that move or do you think about hey, how do you win the big trophy because that’s our goal every year. It’s not a certain amount of wins, it’s about winning the championship.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver.
Implications for the Next Era of NASCAR Championships
This major shift affects the approach of not just established champions like Joey Logano but also rising contenders, their crews, and their management strategies. While drivers such as Logano, who have succeeded under multiple systems, might initially benefit from their broad experience, teams across NASCAR—including crew chiefs and engineers—will need to rethink race tactics and car development with season-long consistency as the priority. The removal of “win and you’re in” spots means each race can meaningfully impact a driver’s title hopes, making every weekend critical.
As NASCAR moves toward the 2026 season, all eyes will be on how this new championship format influences competition and whether drivers can adapt their strategies effectively. For fans and teams alike, this change promises a fresh era of high-stakes racing where the path to a championship trophy is redefined.
