NASCAR’s recent announcement of returning the Chase format to the Cup Series in 2026 has sparked widespread conversation. In this context, former driver Kenny Wallace expressed skepticism about drivers like Shane van Gisbergen making the playoffs, labeling them as one-trick specialists who rely heavily on road course skills to secure their spots.
Wallace questioned van Gisbergen’s consistency over the season, stating,
“Where was SVG with 10 races to go here? That’s what I’m saying. I don’t know where he was exactly, but for the most part, he was 20-something in the points.”
Fan Perception and Playoff Qualification Concerns
Despite the excitement from a driver’s perspective about van Gisbergen’s road course expertise influencing playoff contention, Wallace argued that many fans view this negatively. According to him, this disconnect between fan expectations and driver performances contributed to the controversy driving the format change.
Wallace continued,
“He ended up 12th or somewhere around there,”
pointing out that
“for most of the year, people were upset, saying, ‘Oh my god, he’s won three races, but he’s 28th in the points.’”
He reiterated,
“In the end, he did come on, but the bottom line is this. Where was SVG with 10 races to go in 2025?”
Influences Shaping Wallace’s Perspective on Consistency
Wallace credited Mark Martin for helping him see the fans’ viewpoint, which affected his stance on drivers like van Gisbergen, Harrison Burton, and Austin Dillon. He emphasized that winning multiple races in a season no longer guarantees playoff success unless a driver also maintains consistent high placements throughout the entire year.
Insights from Charlie Marlow on Playoff Competitiveness
Joining Wallace in the discussion, Charlie Marlow noted that when drivers such as Burton and van Gisbergen reached the playoffs — Burton after his 2024 Daytona win and van Gisbergen in 2025 — it was widely understood that their chances of winning the championship were slim. There were clear reasons their playoff inclusion was more symbolic than competitive in the title race.
Although van Gisbergen earned five wins in 2025, securing a playoff berth, Marlow argued he was not genuinely in position to claim the championship. This suggests the presence of drivers like him in the postseason might be less significant than some assume.
According to Marlow, the reintroduced Chase format is designed to reward the season-long best performers, granting them a more legitimate opportunity to contend for the title instead of focusing solely on isolated victories.
The Implications of the Playoff Format Revision
The shift back to the Chase format reflects NASCAR’s intention to prioritize consistent excellence over sporadic race wins, aligning closer to fan expectations. For Shane van Gisbergen, whose skillset centers on road courses but whose points standing fluctuated greatly during the 2025 season, missing out on the playoffs may be seen as a natural consequence of that consistency standard.
This format change is expected to heighten competition throughout the season, compelling drivers to perform steadily rather than relying on singular successes. As the Cup Series approaches 2026, the playoff landscape will likely emphasize endurance and versatility, establishing a truer championship contender lineup.
