Kyle Larson on NASCAR playoffs is now in the spotlight as the series undergoes a major change. On Monday, NASCAR officials announced the elimination-style playoff system used since 2014 will end, with a return to the Chase format—a move that Larson and others see as timely and significant for the sport.
NASCAR Ends the Elimination-Style Playoffs, Revives the Chase
Larson, who captured two NASCAR Cup Series championships during the now-retired win-and-advance playoff model, expressed both nostalgia and satisfaction about the update. He commented that while the previous playoff system offered excitement, the format had reached a natural endpoint. NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell confirmed the new rules will apply from the coming season, signaling a pivotal shift for teams and fans alike.
“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 racecar that we got, I think it deserved a format change,”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series driver, told Matt Weaver of Motorsport.
Having secured his latest championship win just over two months ago at Phoenix Raceway, Larson will go down in history as the final champion under the elimination-style playoffs. This transition ushers in a new era, putting greater focus on season-wide performance and race victories throughout the Chase.
Kyle Larson Praises the Return of the Chase Format
The updated points-based model will highlight consistency across the full schedule. Going forward, the top 16 drivers in regular season points after 26 races will earn their spots in a 10-race playoff. The driver with the highest total points at the conclusion of these playoff races collects the championship trophy—an approach that amplifies week-to-week importance and discards the sudden-death knockout rounds of the previous system.
“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, NASCAR Cup Series driver, said.
Larson believes the updated layout increases every driver’s chance for a title, especially for those who demonstrate consistent performance across the year. He anticipated that former contenders under the older playoff system are likely relieved and excited by the return to a format where steady performance is rewarded alongside race-day triumphs.
How the New Playoff System Works
NASCAR’s modifications give increased weight to race victories: each win during the playoffs will now earn a driver 55 points, rather than the previous 40. This aims to keep winning at the forefront of championship calculations. Meanwhile, the regular season points leader will take a 25-point head start into the Chase, further incentivizing strong results from the season’s opening lap through its final race.
President Steve O’Donnell cast the new system as a compromise between the ‘best of both worlds,’ stating it will preserve the excitement of a postseason battle while restoring season-long stakes. He explained that every position in every race now matters more than ever under these regulations.
“This [format] is the best of both worlds,”
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR president, told The Athletic.
“I think for those who want just full-season points, no playoffs, you have points that matter, every single race matters. And for those who want a playoff, you have a playoff now, but it’s points-based. And winning still really matters; you’ve got to go out and compete.”
“One of the things we were missing was, we talked about every race mattering, but in this win-and-you’re-in format, winning eliminated that at times, and that wasn’t a good thing. We want drivers to go compete and run every single lap — every single lap matters — and this is going to deliver that,”
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR president, said.
Reactions from the NASCAR Community and What Lies Ahead
As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to launch this new chapter, drivers, teams, and fans are adjusting to the renewed emphasis on both season-long consistency and the thrill of race wins. While some former drivers and analysts had advocated for a return to the traditional full-season points system, the league hopes that these changes will satisfy both camps: preserving the drama of playoffs while rewarding regular excellence.
Names like Matt Weaver of Motorsport have helped amplify discussion, and Larson’s public approval sets the tone for a season of intense, emotionally charged competition. With contenders like Justice Haynes, Damon Wilson, and Jordan Seaton vying for glory and organizations eager to prove themselves, the Chase’s comeback could mark one of the most compelling eras yet in NASCAR history.
As NASCAR returns to its revamped Chase playoff system, every lap and every race will carry heightened significance—a change that promises to captivate both long-time fans and new viewers as the pursuit for the championship unfolds.
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
