The Chase Returns to NASCAR

By Adam Carabine

On Monday afternoon, NASCAR presented the long-awaited changes to the 2026 (and beyond) Championship rules – The Chase returns to NASCAR!  While fans and drivers alike were aware that changes were coming, the big reveal happened at NASCAR’s new production facility in Charlotte, NC.

In the NASCAR Cup Series, the regular season remains 26 races.  The Top-16 in points at the end of the Regular Season will have their points reset to the new Chase format points, with a 25-point bonus going to the Regular Season champion.  Those 16 drivers will fight it out over the course of the final 10 races, and whichever driver has the most points after Homestead in November will be crowned the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.

Notable other changes include a bump in points for winners.  Previously a win earned you 40 points – that has been upped to 55.  Also, they have now abolished the “win-and-you’re-in” format from previous years.  No longer can a driver throw a Hail Mary at a drafting track and get into the playoffs, despite being below others in the points. A higher emphasis is placed on winning races, and season-long consistency. 

Both the O’Reilly Auto Parts (formerly Xfinity) Series, and the Craftsman Truck Series are also adopting these new rules, though the number of races and drivers differs. 

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will have a 24-race Regular Season, followed by a 9-race Chase featuring the Top 12 drivers.

The Craftsman Truck Series will have an 18-race Regular Season, followed by a 7-race Chase featuring the Top 10 drivers.