NASCAR will announce a new championship format on Monday, January 12, 2026, with both fans and competitors—like Hyak Motorsports’ Ricky Stenhouse Jr.—eager for details. The new Ricky Stenhouse Jr. championship format aims to reshape how consistency and success are rewarded in the sport, reflecting extensive discussions with drivers and teams.
Stenhouse Jr. Shares Thoughts on Playoff Changes
While details of the upcoming system remain under wraps, Stenhouse Jr. recognizes that race victories will always matter most, regardless of format shifts. Looking ahead, he suggested that gathering points could take on a bigger role in qualifying for the playoffs, alongside winning races.
The planned announcement signals NASCAR’s intent to highlight season-long consistency rather than favoring dramatic playoff eliminations—a stance supported by figures such as Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, and veterans like Mark Martin. For years, critics have contended that the current playoff system, introduced in 2014, overlooks steady performers in favor of drivers who shine only in key elimination rounds; Stenhouse Jr. seems optimistic NASCAR is listening. Regarding the collaborative process, he stated,
“NASCAR’s done a good job collaborating with drivers and teams and trying to come up with the best solution for competition and crowning our champions. So I’ve been through different iterations of the format and the way things have worked.”
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver, Hyak Motorsports
The process has fueled anticipation across the sport, with Stenhouse Jr. previewing incentives for consistent results and emphasizing the enduring priority of winning, especially marquee races. He remarked,
“And so it’s going to come out on Monday. I assume there’s going to be more points, incentive-type racing. Obviously, you still want to win races and put yourself in the best possible position to be in the playoffs. So, I’m going to start with trying to win the Daytona 500,”
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver, Hyak Motorsports
Announcement Timing and Platform Details
The comprehensive format reveal is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Monday, during a special broadcast of Inside the Race. NASCAR will stream the announcement live from Concord, reaching fans via NASCAR.com, YouTube, the NASCAR Channel on Tubi, and additional platforms, ensuring widespread access for supporters and teams alike.
Current NASCAR Playoff Format Under Review
NASCAR’s existing championship system, dating to 2014, involves a 10-race postseason where 16 drivers—primarily winners from the first 26 races, then top points earners—compete for the title. The playoffs split into four elimination rounds, with three rounds of three races each culling the lowest four by points, before four finalists oppose one another in the season finale.
Advancement traditionally relies on race wins or sufficient points totals, but both fans and drivers have long felt this does too little to reward a season’s steady performers. The structure’s focus on single-race outcomes prompted debate about whether it truly crowns the most deserving champion.
Anticipated Direction of the New Format
Most within the sport believe NASCAR will not return to the full-season, 36-race points system used for decades, nor will it simply stick with the pure elimination model. Instead, the expectation is that the organization will find a middle ground, combining the excitement of playoff rounds with increased rewards for consistent performance and points accumulation throughout the season.
NASCAR’s leadership appears focused on blending excitement with fairness, addressing criticism of legitimacy while upholding the thrilling nature of championship-deciding races. As the competition landscape evolves, Stenhouse Jr. and other competitors await the official details to fine-tune their 2026 campaigns.
Impact for Drivers, Teams, and Fans
With the revised championship format, drivers like Stenhouse Jr., Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, and veterans such as Mark Martin hope that the system will better honor performance across the entire season. The announcement holds significant implications for how teams approach strategy, how the sanctioning body balances spectacle and legitimacy, and how the next champion is crowned on NASCAR’s grand stage.
Monday’s reveal will provide clear direction for everyone involved, potentially reshaping the path to the playoffs and the race for the championship, as drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. look to capitalize on both consistency and headline victories like the Daytona 500.
Here's Ricky Stenhouse Jr. talking about NASCAR's new championship system on Fox & Friends:
"I assume there's gonna be more points-incentive type racing. Obviously you still want to win races and put yourself in the best possible position to be in the playoff … Come Monday… https://t.co/sYzXsW2sjN pic.twitter.com/eLU48VANJa
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) January 10, 2026
