NASCAR Brings Back The Chase for 2026 as a Pure Points Battle
NASCAR unveiled a 2026 The Chase format: 16 drivers will race the final 10 events across the Cup, Xfinity (O'Reilly Auto Parts Series), and Truck Series, with no eliminations and a championship determined solely by points. The change returns to a season-long points battle after the previous era of elimination playoffs, with drivers and former champions praising the simpler, fan-friendly structure and the emphasis on consistent performance each week.