NASCAR is bringing back 'The Chase' as its national series championship format beginning in 2026, marking a return of NASCAR's original postseason format that was in place from 2004-2013 in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The changes come after an extensive review that included collaboration between owners, drivers, OEMs, tracks, broadcast partners and fans.

"As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," said NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR's storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend."

The format follows an exhaustive Playoff Committee and fan-feedback review that put forward three key recommendations:

• A larger sample size for a championship
• Bolster the importance of each race
• Rewarding consistency while maintaining the importance of winning

NASCAR has implemented each of those pieces of feedback by making the following changes for 2026 and beyond: 

• 'The Chase' is back. The driver with the most points after the postseason slate will be crowned the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion. The Chase will consist of the final 10 races for the NASCAR Cup Series; the final nine races for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series; and the final seven races for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
   
• 'Win and you're in' is gone. A race win will no longer guarantee automatic entry into The Chase, increasing the importance of every event on the schedule. Winning is still valuable, but drivers must continue to perform at a high level throughout the regular season.
   
• Race-winning drivers earn more points. A win will now earn the race-winning driver 55 points. Previously, a win paid 40 points. The goal is to reward drivers who go for wins, not just strong points days, and ensure aggressive racing and strong team performance remain central to each weekend. Points for all other positions, including stage points, remain the same.
   
• The Chase will feature the top drivers in regular-season points. Returning to a points-based qualification system, The Chase in the NASCAR Cup Series will feature 16 drivers; the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series field will be set at 12 drivers, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field at 10.
   
• The points leader after the regular season will receive a meaningful advantage. The top driver at the end of the regular season will earn a 25-point cushion over the second seed.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR