In a major shift for NASCAR, officials have announced that all national series will abandon the winner-takes-all playoffs system and return to the traditional Chase format starting in 2026. This change aims to address ongoing concerns within the racing community about the fairness and excitement of the playoff structure. Hall of Famer Mark Martin praised the decision as the “most perfect compromise” for fans.
Kyle Larson, the current Cup Series champion, expressed strong support for the new playoff format during the Tulsa Shootout weekend. He revealed relief that longstanding rumors about altering the system had come true and emphasized that the updated Next-Gen car platform warranted a change in the championship format.
Kyle Larson Highlights Why the Playoff Evolution Matches the Next-Gen Car
Larson shared with Motorsport.com’s Matt Weaver that he had heard whispers of the change for weeks before the official announcement. While acknowledging the excitement the previous playoff structure brought, he believes its time had passed.
“I kind of heard rumors of it for at least a month and yeah, just happy. I think the old playoff system was exciting, but I think it also ran its course, and I think the style of what we’re at now with the race car that we got, I think it deserved a format change,”
Larson said.
Champion Believes New Format Will Boost Drivers’ Championship Prospects
Looking ahead, Larson expressed confidence that the racing community, especially past championship contenders, will welcome the change. He noted that the new system increases the likelihood for more drivers to win the coveted Bill France Cup, shifting the competitive balance.
So yeah, I would assume — I haven’t heard everybody’s comments on it — but I would assume anybody who is a previous contender for a championship with the playoff format is probably more happy that we have this format because I feel like your chances of winning a championship is higher for all of us now.
Kyle Larson added.
From Clutch Moments to Consistency: How Playoff Dynamics Will Shift
Larson reflected on the challenges posed by the former season finale format, pointing out that while clutch performances were often decisive, the format tended to favor overall consistency. He highlighted that the new points system will place greater emphasis on race wins, maintaining a balance between consistent finishes and outright victories.
It’s really tough to win, to make it to the round of four and then beat three other guys. Now, it comes down to 10 races, you can have a lot of belief in team like I do, be consistent and hopefully win some races as well. It sounds like there’s more points paid for wins, so wins are still really important. And as always, just try to do a good job.
Kyle Larson asserted.
Chase Elliott Sees Reduced Chaos and Improved Integrity in New Playoff Model
Kyle Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Chase Elliott, also weighed in on the changes, praising the new format for its potential to lessen unpredictable, chaotic moments that previously influenced championship outcomes. Elliott specifically recalled Ross Chastain’s famous wall-ride at Martinsville in 2022, a moment that, while spectacular, he believes represents the type of “craziness” the new system aims to avoid.
I’m just like, ‘man, we’re talking about the wrong thing here,’ because you don’t know how hard it is to do what Denny did to get himself in that position. Instead, we’re promoting the craziness because it got us on SportsCenter that night and I just thought it was all wrong. So, my point in all of that is this is a great step to not have as many of these chaotic moments and all of us (drivers) realizing there’s enough time for this to come out with the wash.
Chase Elliott said.
Elliott’s perspective highlights a desire among drivers to bring back purity and fairness to NASCAR’s championship fight. His comments suggest the new format is designed to reward skill, consistency, and strategy rather than isolated, dramatic plays.
Implications for Drivers and the Future of NASCAR Playoffs
The return to the Chase format reflects a critical evolution in how NASCAR tries to balance excitement with competitive integrity. Drivers like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott represent a new generation of racers ready to adapt to these changes, with hopes of fairer championship contention that rewards performance across multiple races rather than a single finale.
Looking ahead, the shift may encourage teams to focus more on consistent race-winning performances over the ten-race playoff stretch. The emphasis on points for victories could reshape team strategies and intensify battles throughout the season, potentially making the championship fight more engaging for both drivers and fans.
As the 2026 reformatting approaches, all eyes will be on how NASCAR’s top competitors respond and whether the revamped playoff system delivers the balance of excitement and fairness the community desires.
Kyle Larson says the NASCAR Playoffs ran its course and he's happy about the return of the Chase for the Championship pic.twitter.com/2DNciq7FpT
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) January 13, 2026
